Fabutan Enforces Teen Tanning Policy

Fabutan Sun Tan Studios today announced it will be strictly enforcing its teen tanning policy. This means anyone less than 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent when indoor tanning, while 16 to 17-year-old customers will require a parent's signature of consent before being allowed to tan.

Fabutan's Teen Tan Plan program now mandates that franchisees ensure the teen tanning policy restrictions are upheld, or they may face termination of their franchise agreements. Fabutan has had self-imposed parental consent guidelines, including parental accompaniment for anyone under the age of 16 and a signature for anyone under the age of 18, since 1992. Health Canada has no regulations for teen tanning. "This is now an official policy within our franchise operating system. Fabutan has always believed that decisions regarding teen tanning should be left to the teen's parents," said Fabutan President Doug McNabb. "Our research tells us that a significant majority of Canadians believe this as well," he added. "Although we strongly disagree with the distorted perception about ultraviolet light (UV) exposure we think it's important to respect the wishes of Canadian parents. Our goal is to educate parents with facts, rather than conjecture. Research shows the potential risks from tanning are from overexposure or sunburning, not moderate tanning" McNabb said. In fact, a major consequence of the UV abstinence messaging by dermatologists is the resulting vitamin D deficiency. In sunlight-starved Canada, 97 per cent of Canadians are vitamin D deficient at some point in the year, according to research by the University of Calgary. Because 90 per cent of vitamin D is produced naturally when skin is exposed to UVB, present in Fabutan's tanning beds, as well as sunshine, there is growing consensus in the scientific community that humans can't get adequate levels of vitamin D from diet or supplements. "We believe a tanning bed is the most reliable, effective, and controlled source of vitamin D available. We're proud of our involvement at the grassroots level teaching Canadians how to get their vitamin D and enjoy their sun exposure responsibly," McNabb said.

Fabutan's Screen Patrol � an active promoter of smart tanning for the past four years - will participate in more than 225 events this year handing out free sunscreen that will educate teenagers about the importance of avoiding sunburns.

About Fabutan Sun Studios For over 25 years Fabutan has encouraged a balanced, moderate approach to indoor tanning. Educating our customers to maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks of too much or too little UV exposure, along with a strong emphasis on avoiding overexposure and sunburn, is the core foundation of Fabutan's "Smart Tanning" philosophy. Fabutan is a founding member of the Joint Canadian Tanning Association (tancanada.org), committed to the research and education of responsible and moderate sun tanning. Fabutan (fabutan.com) is Canada's largest indoor tanning company, with 159 franchises and over 700 employees.

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