TANNING TAX – WHAT’S YOUR TAKE?
Today, July 1, 2010, the infamous “tanning tax” goes into effect. The 10% tax on UV tanning services was included in the Obama administration’s breakthrough national healthcare bill, passed in March, as a way to help pay for the costly legislation. Since it was proposed, the tanning tax has been very controversial. Proponents of the tax claim that it will discourage people from indoor tanning and eventually decrease the incidence of skin cancer. Other supporters believe it will encourage tanning salon owners to adapt their business models to shifting demand; the tanning industry has been in decline and offering more sunless tanning services could potentially help struggling businesses. Those
