RFK Jr. Withdraws FDA Proposal to Ban Tanning Bed Use by Minors

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serving as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has formally withdrawn a proposed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule aimed at prohibiting minors from using tanning beds. This decision comes after a decade of advocacy from public health officials and organizations seeking to restrict access to tanning beds due to their known carcinogenic effects.

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The FDA initially proposed the ban in 2015, motivated by concerns over the increased risk of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, among young users. Dermatologists, including June Robinson, have documented severe cases of skin cancer linked to tanning bed use, emphasizing the vulnerability of young people's developing bodies to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Despite widespread acknowledgment of the dangers, the proposed regulations languished for years, facing significant pushback from the tanning industry.

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HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard stated that the FDA's withdrawal was due to "scientific and technical concerns" raised during public comments, which included potential "unintended consequences." While Hilliard affirmed that the agency does not dispute the dangers of tanning beds, she did not clarify Kennedy's involvement in the decision-making process. Critics argue that this move reflects a broader trend of prioritizing industry interests over public health.

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Health advocates have expressed disappointment over the withdrawal, viewing it as a setback in the fight against skin cancer. Ezekiel Emanuel, an oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania, criticized the decision, equating the risks of tanning beds to those of smoking and alcohol, which are restricted for minors. Experts like Eleni Linos have highlighted the long-term psychological and physiological impacts of early tanning bed use, noting that the risk of skin cancer is significantly higher among those who start using tanning beds at a young age.

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Research indicates that tanning beds emit UV radiation levels far exceeding natural sunlight, with modern devices primarily using Ultraviolet A rays, which are particularly harmful. A survey led by Robinson in the early 1990s found that approximately 16% of girls aged 17 to 19 in Illinois used tanning beds, a trend that has raised alarms among public health officials. The tanning industry, valued in the billions, has historically downplayed these risks, often using misleading claims about safety.

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The withdrawal of the FDA proposal raises concerns about the future of public health regulations regarding tanning beds. As the industry continues to exert influence, advocates fear that efforts to protect young people from the dangers of UV exposure may stall. The ongoing debate highlights the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes scientific evidence and public health over commercial interests.

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• “dreadful, and young people typically do not weigh the risks properly,” — Ezekiel Emanuel, Oncologist

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• “ The supposed safety of modern tanning beds is just one of the arguments the industry and its supporters sometimes make.” — Hunter Shain, Cancer Biologist

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• “It may seem obvious, but science should not be influenced by the incentives of any industry—whether it’s Big Tobacco or Sugar or Pharma.” — Eleni Linos, Professor of Dermatology and Epidemiology

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• “Look at his leathery skin and his wrinkled face—that is what chronic exposure to ultraviolet light does to you,” — June Robinson, Dermatologist

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