FDA Drops Plan to Ban Tanning Beds for Minors Nationwide

The agency cites concerns over "personal choice and parental decision-making" in withdrawing the proposed rule.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 7:00pm

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have banned anyone under the age of 18 from using tanning beds nationwide. The rule, first proposed in 2015, would have also required adults to sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of skin cancer and severe burns before using tanning devices. Without a federal rule, regulations will continue to vary by state, with some already prohibiting minors from using tanning beds.

Why it matters

The decision not to implement the nationwide ban on tanning bed use for minors has raised concerns among medical experts who view UV radiation as a known carcinogen, similar to harmful products like tobacco. They argue that a federal rule would have provided a clear, enforceable standard to protect young people from the long-term risks of skin damage and cancer.

The details

The FDA said it received over 8,100 public comments on the proposed rule, with some supporting "personal choice and parental decision-making" when it comes to minors' tanning bed use. The agency also noted concerns from businesses. Even without a federal rule, tanning beds are still regulated as medical devices and must carry a black-box warning label advising that they should not be used by anyone under 18.

  • The FDA proposed the rule banning minors from using tanning beds in 2015.
  • The FDA announced the withdrawal of the proposed rule on March 23, 2026.

The players

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The federal agency responsible for regulating medical devices, including tanning beds.

American Academy of Dermatology

A professional organization that had supported the proposed ban on minors using tanning beds.

American Suntanning Association

An industry group that welcomed the FDA's decision to withdraw the proposed rule.

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What they’re saying

“A warning might allow people to stop and think, there are warnings on cigarettes, for example, but if you have a law that says those who are under 18 are not allowed to use these, that is enforceable.”

— Dr. Susan Taylor, President of the American Academy of Dermatology

“Age 18 is a natural barrier for maturity and decision-making, and we have to draw a cutoff, like we do for cigarettes or gambling.”

— Dr. Kendra Bergstrom, Dermatologist at UW Medicine in Seattle

What’s next

The FDA said it will continue to consider "regulatory initiatives related to sunlamp products" in the future.

The takeaway

The decision not to implement a nationwide ban on tanning bed use for minors highlights the ongoing debate over personal choice, parental responsibility, and public health concerns when it comes to potentially harmful activities. Medical experts warn that without clear federal guidelines, young people in some states will remain vulnerable to the long-term risks of UV radiation exposure.