Abstract
IntroductionIn 2009, ultraviolet-emitting tanning devices, i.e. sunbeds and tanning booths, were officially classified as carcinogenic to human health (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.MethodsHere, we aim to estimate South African-based facilities with indoor tanning services advertised in the printed Yellow Pages and online in two directories. Printed Yellow Pages telephone directory beauty salon facilities listings (2010-14) for all provinces were examined and those mentioning "sunbed" and/or "tanning bed" recorded. Beauty/spa facilities were also identified using two sunbed listing webpages.ResultsA total of 40 web-advertised facilities had a sunbed. Beauty facilities in the Yellow Pages specifically mentioning sunbeds declined by 62% between 2010 (n=53) and 2014 (n=20). Gauteng had the highest number of facilities (n=25) with a sunbed. Facilities with sunbeds exist in South Africa, as evidenced by the Yellow Pages and web-advertised data, but their true prevalence remains largely unknown. It is likely that online and walk-by advertising is increasingly more common than print.ConclusionGiven that sunbeds may likely soon become regulated in South Africa, further research is needed to better quantify sunbed provision, determine advice provided by facility operators to new users, investigate whether age restrictions or limits exist for sunbed use, and describe typical patterns of sunbed use in South Africa.
Highlights
In 2009, ultraviolet-emitting tanning devices, i.e. sunbeds and tanning booths, were officially classified as carcinogenic to human health (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer
When the number of facilities which advertised in the Yellow Pages that they had sunbeds was expressed as a percentage of the total number of facilities advertised in the Beauty Facility category, this percentage decreased 62%, nationally, from 53 in 2010 to 20 in 2014
The years 2011, 2012 and 2013 saw the largest number of new businesses, but these numbers decreased over time, which is consistent with the observed overall decline in Yellow Pages listed facilities that advertised sunbeds
Summary
In 2009, ultraviolet-emitting tanning devices, i.e. sunbeds and tanning booths, were officially classified as carcinogenic to human health (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Methods: Here, we aim to estimate South African-based facilities with indoor tanning services advertised in the printed Yellow Pages and online in two directories. Printed Yellow Pages telephone directory beauty salon facilities listings (2010-14) for all provinces were examined and those mentioning "sunbed" and/or "tanning bed" recorded. Beauty facilities in the Yellow Pages mentioning sunbeds declined by 62% between 2010 (n=53) and 2014 (n=20). Facilities with sunbeds exist in South Africa, as evidenced by the Yellow Pages and web-advertised data, but their true prevalence remains largely unknown. In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified sunbeds as "carcinogenic to humans" [2]. Age limit bans exist in several jurisdictions of Canada as well as in Finland, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain and several other countries according to the worldwide sunbed legislation database [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
