subject: Understanding The New Tanning Tax [print this page] The summer of 2010 marked a new 10 percent tax on tanning as part of President Barrack Obama's new healthcare overhaul. Since the new tax went into effect on July 1, 2010, Americans have been paying a bit more to go tanning.
Supporters of the new tax initiative claim that it will help fight cases of melanoma. Melanoma is a dangerous skin cancer that has been linked to indoor tanning. One major supporter of the tax, the American Academy of Dermatology, claims that this tax is a positive step in cancer prevention. The organization goes on to say that the federal government has, by enacting this tax, sent a message to young Americans that indoor tanning is dangerous and should be avoided. For more information about the American Academy of Dermatology's stance on the new tanning tax, visit http://www.aad.org/media/background/news/Releases/StatementfromtheAmericanAcademyofDermatology/.
While the tax does have some supporters, the opposition has been raging. Salon owners, for example, are primarily opposed to the tax because they feel it will be bad for their business. Small business owners feel particularly under attack and have voiced their concerns to many media outlets. Even MTV reality star Snooki has expressed her disdain for the new tanning tax during the Jersey Shore season premier.
The health care bills new tax initiative aimed at tanning attempts to curb skin cancer rates in the United States. However, there are some benefits to moderate indoor tanning. Indoor tanning can increase levels of vitamin D within your body. This particular vitamin has been linked to helping conditions such as fibromyalgia, hypertension, depression and osteoporosis.
If you enjoy tanning and are unhappy with the new tanning tax, you do have options. First, you can contact your congressional representative and express your concerns. If you want, you can also try buying an in-home tanning both. Doing this will help you avoid fees associated with salon tanning. If you do purchase your own tanning bed, make sure to properly maintain it to avoid health risks. This includes but is not limited to cleaning lamps and bulbs in the bed. Clean bulbs also reduce the amount of time necessary to achieve your desired tan.
