Tanning is the new tobacco

As for the reasons behind these trends, he says, “no one can say for certain,” but he refers to national data indicating that indoor tanning has decreased in the past few years, especially among adolescents and young adults.

We are certainly starting to make progress in our effort to control skin cancer, but I still read and hear media reports about the health benefits of tanning. It’s time to double down. Let’s make it clear that ultraviolet radiation exposure is the new tobacco.

Dr. Coldiron is in private practice but maintains a clinical assistant professorship at the University of Cincinnati. He cares for patients, teaches medical students and residents, and has several active clinical research projects. Dr. Coldiron is the author of more than 80 scientific letters, papers, and several book chapters, and he speaks frequently on a variety of topics. He is a past president of the American Academy of Dermatology. Write to him at dermnews@mdedge.com.