Pallone Calls on Universities to Protect Students' Health By Banning Use of University Debit Cards to Pay for Indoor Tanning

Press Release

Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) joined several of his colleagues in calling on Rutgers University and 17 other universities to protect the health of their students by ending practices that allow them to use university debit cards to pay for indoor tanning. In light of Congressman Pallone's letter, Rutgers University intends to end the practice of allowing their students' debit cards to pay for indoor tanning by January 1, 2015, and he hopes other universities follow suit.

"It is widely reported that indoor tanning increases the chances of developing melanoma and other adverse health conditions," said Pallone. "As such, Rutgers University and other schools around the country should take the necessary steps to end the practice of allowing their students to use university debit cards to pay for indoor tanning. Our universities should be promoting student health, not incentivizing their students to engage in activities that put their health at risk."

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 18 universities allow their students to use student debit cards to pay for indoor tanning services. The Journal concluded that given the classification of indoor tanning beds as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization, universities are in essence endorsing and even encouraging indoor tanning.

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