THE USE OF COMMERCIAL TANNING FACILITIES BY SUBURBAN MINNESOTA ADOLESCENTS

In 1991, 1008 suburban St. Paul, Minn, high school students were surveyed via self-administered questionnaire regarding use of commercial tanning facilities, injuries experienced from tanning, use of protective measures while tanning indoors, and knowledge of the risks of tanning. Overall, 34% of the respondents had used commercial tanning facilities. Fifty percent said they had not been warned by tanning facility operators about the risks of tanning indoors, 28% reported not being told to wear goggles and 17% reported never wearing goggles. The results indicate that these adolescents use commercial tanning services at high rates, and often in ways that increase their risk for a variety of health problems.