Bad lighting: Effects of youth indoor tanning prohibitions

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Health Economics
Year: 2023
Volume: 88
Issue: C

Authors (3)

Carpenter, Christopher S. (not in RePEc) Churchill, Brandyn F. (Vanderbilt University) Marcus, Michelle (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.673 = (α=2.02 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Indoor tanning beds (ITBs) emit UV light at high intensity and have been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organization since 2009. We are the first to study the role of state laws prohibiting youths from indoor tanning using a difference-in-differences research design. We find that youth ITB prohibitions reduced population search intensity for tanning-related information. Among white teen girls, ITB prohibitions reduced self-reported indoor tanning and increased sun protective behaviors. We also find that youth ITB prohibitions significantly reduced the size of the indoor tanning market by increasing tanning salon closures and reducing tanning salon sales.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jhecon:v:88:y:2023:i:c:s0167629623000152
Journal Field
Health
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25