[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 25 (Friday, February 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE TANNING ACCOUNTABILITY AND NOTIFICATION ACT--THE 
                                TAN ACT

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 8, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, today I am reintroducing 
bipartisan legislation along with my friend and colleague from Florida, 
Representative Ginny Brown-Waite, the Tanning Accountability and 
Notification Act. This bill would require the Food and Drug 
Administration to determine whether the current labeling of indoor 
tanning beds provides sufficient information to consumers about the 
risks associated with indoor tanning beds. It doesn't tell the FDA what 
the label should say, it merely tells the FDA to examine the label and 
figure out how to make it as effective as possible. The current tanning 
bed warning label hasn't been updated since 1979. It is over 104 words 
long and it buries the mention of skin cancer deep in the label, and it 
is often placed where nobody can see it.
  The statistics on skin cancer are sobering. According to the American 
Academy of Dermatology, 70 percent of tanning bed users are women 
between the ages of 16 and 49. The American Cancer Society estimates 
that this year more than 1 million people are expected to be diagnosed 
with skin cancers, which is associated with exposure to ultra-violet 
light. In 2007, a person's chances of getting invasive melanoma was 1 
in 63. In 2007, a person's chances of getting melanoma were 1 in 33. 
One American dies of melanoma every 65 minutes.
  We need a clear, simple warning that reflects the science of the 21st 
century so we can help reduce the numbers of preventable melanomas.

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