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In 2015, 10.6% of female adolescents used an indoor tanning device within the past year.
Introduction
Exposure to artificial ultraviolet (UV) light from indoor tanning beds and sun lamps increases the risk of skin cancer. In July 2014, a Surgeon General’s Call To Action to Prevent Skin Cancer Report was released. One of the goals of this report was to reduce the harms from indoor tanning. In the same year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) increased the stringency of regulations related to indoor tanning equipment and facilities that provide indoor tanning services, and changed the classification of such devices to a Class II from a Class I. Several states have adopted youth access restrictions for tanning beds, and FDA has proposed a nationwide restriction for minors’ (under 18) access to tanning beds.
Measure
The percentage of high school students (grades 9-12) who reported use of an indoor tanning device such as a sunlamp, sunbed, or tanning booth (not counting getting a spray-on tan) one or more times during the 12 months before the survey.
The percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who have used an indoor tanning device one or more times during the past 12 months. Although NHIS-CCS also collected this data for adults in 2005 and 2008, the methodology used then likely resulted in overestimates and so that data was not included here.
Healthy People 2020 Target
- Reduce to 14 percent the proportion of adolescents in grades 9 through 12 who report using artificial sources of ultraviolet light for tanning.
- Reduce to 3.6 percent the proportion of adults aged 18 years and older who report using artificial sources of ultraviolet light for tanning.
Healthy People 2020 is a set of goals set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Note: Goals are indicated as blue line on Detailed Trend Graphs.
Data Source
Adolescents: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), 2009–2015.
Adults: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Health Interview Survey NCI and CDC co-sponsored Cancer Control Supplement, 2010-2015.
Trends and Most Recent Estimates
Adolescents
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Both Sexes
|
7.3 | (5.9 - 8.7) |
Male
|
4.0 | (3.4 - 4.6) | |
|
Female
|
10.6 | (8.2 - 13.1) | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
All Races
|
7.3 | (5.9 - 8.7) |
Non-Hispanic White
|
9.4 | (7.4 - 11.4) | |
Non-Hispanic Black
|
3.7 | (2.3 - 5.1) | |
Hispanic
|
4.7 | (3.3 - 6.1) | |
Females by Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of female adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
All Races
|
10.6 | (8.2 - 13.1) |
Non-Hispanic White
|
15.2 | (11.5 - 19.0) | |
Non-Hispanic Black
|
2.1 | (0.9 - 3.3) | |
Hispanic
|
5.8 | (3.6 - 8.0) | |
By High School Grade
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Grade 9
|
4.2 | (3.2 - 5.3) |
Grade 10
|
5.3 | (3.5 - 7.2) | |
Grade 11
|
9.0 | (6.3 - 11.6) | |
Grade 12
|
10.8 | (8.5 - 13.2) | |
Females by High School Grade
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of female adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Grade 9
|
6.0 | (4.4 - 7.6) |
Grade 10
|
7.1 | (3.9 - 10.4) | |
Grade 11
|
14.0 | (9.4 - 18.5) | |
Grade 12
|
16.2 | (12.1 - 20.2) | |
Non-Hispanic White Female by High School Grade
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of female Non-Hispanic White adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Grade 9
|
7.4 | (4.7 - 10.1) |
Grade 10
|
9.9 | (4.5 - 15.2) | |
Grade 11
|
19.7 | (12.8 - 26.6) | |
Grade 12
|
24.8 | (19.4 - 30.2) | |
Adults
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Both Sexes
|
3.6 | (3.3 - 4.0) |
Male
|
1.7 | (1.4 - 2.0) | |
Female
|
5.6 | (5.0 - 6.1) | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
All Races
|
3.6 | (3.3 - 4.0) |
Non-Hispanic White
|
5.5 | (5.0 - 6.1) | |
Non-Hispanic Black
|
0.2 | (0.0 - 0.3) | |
Hispanic
|
1.0 | (0.7 - 1.3) | |
By Age
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Ages 18-24
|
6.2 | (5.0 - 7.4) |
Ages 25+
|
3.3 | (2.9 - 3.6) | |
By Sex and Age
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Males, Ages 18-24
|
1.5 | (0.7 - 2.3) |
Males, Ages 25+
|
1.7 | (1.3 - 2.0) | |
Females, Ages 18-24
|
11.0 | (8.8 - 13.2) | |
Females, Ages 25+
|
4.8 | (4.3 - 5.3) | |
By Poverty Income Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
<200% of federal poverty level
|
2.6 | (2.2 - 3.0) |
>=200% of federal poverty level
|
4.2 | (3.7 - 4.6) | |
By Education Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Less than High School
|
1.6 | (1.0 - 2.1) |
High School
|
3.8 | (3.1 - 4.5) | |
Greater than High School
|
3.4 | (3.0 - 3.8) | |
Evidence-based Resources
Resources are available on sun-protective behaviors that are effective at lowering risk of skin cancer. Visit the sun safety on Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. web portal
Multicomponent community-wide interventions are recommended to prevent skin cancer as well as education and policy approaches.
Additional Information on Indoor Tanning
For the public
- Skin Cancer. American Cancer Society.
- Skin Cancer. National Cancer Institute.
- Indoor Tanning Restrictions for Minors – A State-by-State Comparison (May 2017). National Conference of State Legislatures.
- National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention.
- Sunscreen drug products for over-the-counter human use, 2011. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Sunburn Protection Factor (SPF). U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
For health professionals
- Vitamin D and Calcium: A Systematic Review of Health Outcomes (Update). AHRQ Publication No. 14-E004-EF September 2014. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment Number 217.
- Preventing skin cancer: multicomponent community-wide interventions (abbreviated). Community Preventive Services Task Force.
- Indoor Tanning Association settles FTC charge that it deceived customers about skin cancer risks from tanning. Federal Trade Commission.
- Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D (2010). Institute of Medicine.
- Melanoma Treatment (PDQ®). National Cancer Institute.
- Skin Cancer Treatment (PDQ®). National Cancer Institute.
- Stratosphere: UV index. National Weather Service: Climate Prediction Center.
- Sun Safety. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin From the Sun. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Sunlamp products and ultraviolet lamps intended for use in sunlamp products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Title 21. Food and drugs. CFR 1040.20. Fed Regist. 2013.
- Sunlamps and Sunlamp Products (Tanning Beds/Booths). U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- General and plastic surgery devices: reclassification of ultraviolet lamps for tanning, henceforth to be known as sunlamp products and ultraviolet lamps intended for use in sunlamp products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Rule. Fed Regist. 2014;79:31205-31214.
- Skin Cancer: Counseling. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Scientific reports
- Surgeon General Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer, 2014.
- Indoor tanning: The risks of ultraviolet rays. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Buying indoor tanning with university debit cards. Boyers L, Karimkhani C, Crane LA, Asdigian N, Hollonds A, Dellavalle RP. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(1):199-201.
- VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL Study). Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
- Prevalence of sunburn, sun protection, and indoor tanning behaviors among Americans: review from national surveys and case studies of 3 states. Buller DB, Cokkinides V, Hall HI, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;65(5):S114–S123.
- User-centered development of a smart phone mobile application delivering personalized real-time advice on sun protection. Buller DB, Berwick M, Shane J, Kane I, Lantz K, Buller MK. Transl Behav Med. 2013;3(3):326-334.
- Sunburn and sun protective behaviors among adults aged 18–29 Years – United States, 2000–2010. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR 2012;61(18);317–322.
- Use of indoor tanning devices by adults – United States, 2010. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR 2012;61(18);323–326.
- Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow-up. Green A, Williams GM, Logan V, and Strutton GM. J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(3):257–263.
- State indoor tanning laws and adolescent indoor tanning. Guy GP, Berkowitz Z, Jones SE, et al. Am J Public Health. 2014;104(4):e69-e74.
- The association between demographic and behavioral characteristics and sunburn among U.S. Adults – National Health Interview Survey, 2010. Holman DM, Berkowitz Z, Guy GP, Hartman AM, Perna FM. Prev Med. 2014;63:6-12.
- Correlates of intentional tanning among adolescents in the United States: a systematic review of the literature. Holman DM, Watson M. J Adolesc Health. 2013;52(5 suppl):S52-S59.
- History and culture of tanning in the United States. Hunt Y, Auguston E, Rutten L, Moser R. In: Heckman CJ, Manne EL, eds. Shedding Light on Indoor Tanning. New York, NY: Springer; 2012:5-30.
- Solar and ultraviolet radiation. International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans 2012;100D:36–102.
- Indoor tanning and risk of melanoma: a case-control study in a highly exposed population. Lazovich D, Vogel R, Berwick M, et al. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(6):1557–68.
- Adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation from the use of indoor tanning equipment: time to ban the tan. Lim HW, James WD, Rigel DS, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;64(4):e51–60.
- Behavioral counseling to prevent skin cancer: a systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force. Lin JS, Eder M, Weinmann S. Ann Intern Med. 2011;154:190–201.
- Adolescents’ use of indoor tanning: a large-scale evaluation of psychosocial, environmental, and policy- level correlates. Mayer JA, Woodruff SI, Slymen DJ, et al. Am J Public Health. 2011;101(5):930-938.
- Behavioral counseling to prevent skin cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Moyer VA, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2012;157(1):59-65.
- Reducing environmental cancer risk: what we can do now. National Cancer Institute. 2008–2009 Annual Report of the President’s Cancer Panel.
- Subsequent primary malignancies in patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer in England: a national record-linkage study. Ong EL, Goldacre R, Hoang U, Sinclair R, Goldacre M. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2014;23(3):490-498.
- Increasing incidence of melanoma among young adults: an epidemiological study in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Reed KB, Brewer JD, Lohse CM, et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012;87(4):328–334.
- Implications of lessons learned from tobacco control for tanning bed reform. Sinclair C, Makin JK. Prev Chronic Dis. 2013;10:e28.
Statistics
- SEER Cancer Statistics Review, National Cancer Institute.
Year Range
2009-2015
Recent Summary Trend Year Range
2011-2015
Summary Tables
Sun Protection
Recent Summary Trend
Falling
Desired Direction
Falling