Until recently, tanning was considered a safe and easy way to catch a some color without having to go to the beach or climb up to the rooftop. Fresh off the Senate floor, a newly sanctioned tanning tax is making its way into President Obama's proposed health care reform bill. It will increase taxes on tanning by 10 percent.
The so-called tanning tax replaced a 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic procedures such as botox or a face lift. Industry doctors and lobbyists largely condemned this tax, nicknamed the Bo-Tax. They claimed the tax would unfairly affect women who could barely afford the procedures in the first place. They cried discrimination and were awarded with the alternative tan tax.
If the health care reform bill passes, going to an indoor tanning bed will come with a 10 percent tax. This is estimated to generate over $2.7 billion over 10 years. The bo-tax, on the other hand would have generated a projected $5.8 billion in the same time.
The hope is that this tax will give consumers second thoughts about hitting the tanning bed. Indeed, studies have shown that tanning bed use by adults under 30 increased the risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75 percent. The disease causes over 8,500 deaths annually, and 69,000 are diagnosed skin cancer each year.
There is some debate over the actual risks of tanning. Some assert that there are benefits to tanning too. Tanning, according to some doctors is a natural way to protect one’s body from sunburn. It is the increased and excessive exposure to sun that cause sunburns and ultimately skin cancer. Furthermore, tanning helps maintain vital levels of vitamin D, which are necessary in preventing cancer. Advocates claim that vitamin D actually effectively controls the way the body deals with abnormal cell growth.
Moreover, tanning enthusiasts posit that while overexposure, as with anything may do more harm than good, tanning in small amounts is helpful. They say that tanning beds are completely safe and FDA endorsed. They also make the point that the revenue generated from the tax is only half of what the bo-tax would have brought and is hardly enough to pay for health insurance reform.
The tax is expected to come to effect in July. The nation’s 20,000 tanning salons are expected to bare the burden of the tax themselves, as a 10 percent hike will hit consumer hard. Tanning salons owners are undoubtedly unhappy about the turn of events. There is concern that many small businesses will be affected as a result, losing customers and ultimately revenue. This scenario would naturally have a negative effect on the economy.
The proposed health care bill is currently in Senate discussion. The President and Democrats have expressed the desire to end talks and get the bill under way shortly. Talks ended Friday with those involved saying talks are making progress.
Written by Lani Shadduck
HULIQ.com
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