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Our goal is to make this new outreach medium useful to the entire industry, so please let us know what you think by e-mailing us at admin@theita.com. Dan Humiston |
A Message From The President: Since its inception, one of the ITA’s greatest challenges has been providing the industry with timely information regarding our accomplishments, our challenges and our plans. Beginning today, we have a new strategy. Through the generosity of all three of the indoor tanning industry’s trade magazines, we now have a voice. Each month, we will use this space to keep you up to date on all of our projects and events—including federal and state regulatory and legislative developments, public relations, board meetings and the upcoming Tanning World Expo.2007 Recap
Last year turned out to be very busy in state capitals throughout the country, where the ITA faced an unprecedented 22 anti-tanning bills in 20 different states, with the common theme of restricting teen tanning. The good news is that most legislators believe that parents—not the government—should decide if teens can get a suntan, and the vast majority of these proposals were defeated.
Three states considered but did not pass a ban on teens under 18—California, Colorado and South Dakota. Additionally, similar bans were proposed in both Vermont and Ohio; those were not passed, but have carried over in 2008.
California, North Dakota and Connecticut considered banning teens under 16; once again, reason prevailed. Massachusetts also proposed an under-16 ban, and that legislation will carry over into the 2008 session.
Similarly, four states—Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada and Virginia—rejected banning teens under 14. Pennsylvania still is considering such a ban.
Despite our efforts, California, North Dakota, Utah, and Virginia did enact bills that affect our industry. In North Dakota, an under-14 ban was passed. The other states made only incremental changes to existing laws, however.
What To Expect In 2008
Five states have bills carried over from 2007, and a new licensing bill was just introduced in South Dakota, showing that 2008 anti-tanning legislation is off to a fast start. This is where we stand:
- Massachusetts—proposed under-16 ban
- Michigan—proposed state licensing and inspection requirements
- Ohio—proposed under-18 ban
- Pennsylvania—proposed under-14 ban
- South Dakota—proposed state licensing and inspection, and under-14 ban
- Vermont—proposed under-18 ban After 10 years of hard work, the industry now has firewalls in place across the country. However, the key element for success is still you, the local business owner.
If you live in a state where there is an active bill, please help us reach out to your elected officials. Help us make calls and write letters, and encourage others in the industry to do the same.
We are very fortunate to have some of the best legislative tacticians and lobbyists watching out for our interests. With your continued involvement, we are well positioned to meet all of the challenges 2008 will undoubtedly bring.
