Advertising sunbeds in New York cheats

New York State Attorney General sued two popular tanning salons, which downplay the danger of tanning.

As stated in the lawsuit, Total Tan and Portofino Spas violated state laws regarding deceptive business practices, when they admitted that fake tanning was not only safe, but could also increase the body’s production of vitamin D and reduce the risks of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Doctors and public health organizations warn against tanning in tanning beds, and above all, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says it can lead to premature aging of the skin, as well as several types of skin cancer, including melanoma, the most deadly type. Last year’s study found that each year an artificial tan causes an estimated 400 of thousands of skin cancer cases in the country.

Total Tan in New York has 26 tanning beds, while Portofino Spas has five. In addition to the problems with false advertising, Portofino Spas has another problem - there is no customer warning in their tanning beds about the danger of tanning in a tanning bed, as stipulated by state law.