Tanning Tax

For many people the proposed tanning tax in congress is viewed as a form of discrimination against middle class women. People on the other side of the aisle point out that artificial tanning in tanning beds is a health risk that can result in dangerous long term health problems that effectively raise the cost of health care for all Americans. As the president and congress wrestle with the best way to pay for health care reform it looks like some of the funds for the proposed changes will come from a 10% tanning tax at tanning salons. It will be up to each individual tanning salon or tanning store to determine if the tax increase will be passed along to consumers and if so to what degree.

From the standpoint of many salon owners they are understandably concerned. Most tanning locations are small businesses and in difficult economic times small businesses are hit the hardest in terms of trying to make ends meet and cover payroll. Many salon owners point out that the entire tanning bed industry largely effects middle class women throughout the United States. When asked the experienced experts point out that a majority of tanning locations are owned by women, the vast majority of employees or workers are middle class women, and the customers are by and large middle class women. These points have brought up some interesting questions regarding how this proposed tax will effect small businesses owners and specifically middle class women that practically keep the industry alive.

Proponents of the tan tax idea are quick to point out that for years there have been additional sin taxes imposed on alcohol and tobacco. These additional taxes are justified when law makers believe that the substances they are taxing contribute to health problems that are caused by these very substances they are aiming to curb the use of. In instances where there is a lack of specific evidence policy makers mask their real intentions to drive up tax revenue however they can. The idea behind the legislation is publicly stated as being to curtail the use of commonly accepted dangerous substances or behaviors. Lawmakers realize that by specifically radically raising the taxes in certain industries they can drum up more money for their causes without alienating their core group of constitutes. Those people passing the tax changes are able to publicly say that they are actively doing what they can to make the world a safer place by minimizing tanning wrinkles that can lead to dangerous caners later in life.

Many people believe that tanning indoors can be completely safe and for the most part they are right, when it comes to handling the situation properly. Like a lot of things in life there is a right and a wrong way to go about indoor tanning. The idea to get tan by tanning can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Tanning beds are generally speaking dangerous to a similar extent as being in the sun. Since the invention of tanning beds the products has improved tremendously in terms of safety and effectiveness. Still the problem remains as to what the best ideas are for long term resolution of potential problems. The spray tan and tanning lotions have become much more popular options as the public at large has become more aware of the risks involved in dealing with overexposure to either actual sunlight or tanning beds. At the moment it looks like the safest alternative is to utilize sunless products outside of tanning beds that give the best illusion of a natural tan, but without any of the health concerns.

For some women and men tanning lotions can cause issues that go beyond normal tanning problems. This can be part of the trade off between using a proper tanning facility and one with more questions about long term implications. It is generally understood that lotions and the more expensive but professional option of spray tanning can cause acne problems that result in the need to use acne cover creams to fix the issues from a vanity and beauty perspective. If the tanning tax goes into effect it is unclear as to how this will effect the less harmful products and alternatives sold by this ever adapting industry. Many tanning salons sell items like hats, visors, and sunglasses that actually limit sun exposure. Will these products also be subject to the same tax increases that are aimed at increasing health and awareness of sun exposure problems? Regardless of how the tanning tax takes effect it is clear that much needs to be vetted out in terms of justly implementing this slippery slope idea.