Planet Fitness To Stop Offering “Unlimited” Indoor Tanning As Part Of Settlement With New York AG
Melanoma is one of the most dangerous of cancers and putting yourself under an artificial tanning lamp is no help. According to numerous studies, indoor tanning may cause 400,000 cases or more of skin cancer in the U.S. each year and their artificial light sources can be as strong as the sun. Additionally, studies have found that there is a 59 percent increase in the risk of melanoma in those who have been exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning, and the risk increases with each use by that person.
In view of this, New York State attorney General Eric Schneiderman has reached an agreement with Planet Fitness Holdings requiring that they do not offer “unlimited” tanning as part of their premier Black Card level memberships and that they provide adequate training to employees who oversee indoor tanning services at Planet Fitness gym locations.
Planet Fitness also agreed not to make health related claims to promote red lamp devices and to comply with all New York State tanning regulations. Planet Fitness paid $50,000 in costs and penalties.
“Under today’s agreement with Planet Fitness, the company will no longer offer unlimited tanning as part of its health club benefits and will not make any claims regarding the health or safety of indoor tanning,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “This agreement is part of a continuing effort to protect consumers from the documented skin cancer risks of indoor tanning. I am especially concerned with rising cancer rates associated with indoor tanning, particularly for young people, and businesses that offer indoor tanning should market their services truthfully.”
Schneiderman’s office also said the settlement stems from an investigation of Planet Fitness locations in which investigators found ‘numerous violations’ of state laws, including the failure to provide required warnings about the possible health dangers of indoor tanning.”
The Attorney General’s office has released a brochure on indoor tanning safety that provides important information on the risks and harms associated with UV tanning.