Tan-uary? Really?

Image: supretan.com

The Melanoma Education Initiative recently posted a Facebook link showcasing Nicole Polizzi (aka, Snooki) promoting her tanning products.  (Don’t worry, the MEI was NOT endorsing Snooki…they were quite disgusted with her “Tan-uary” promotion).  Her product is one of the many Supre Tan products offered at professional tanning salons across the country.  I discovered this while browsing the website…akin to staring at a nasty car wreck…I couldn’t help it.  Within the site, I found two rather disappointing things.  First was a video of Snooki enjoying herself at the Smart Tan Convention held in Nashville last October.  It wasn’t Snooki herself that disappointed me, but the images of all the tanning beds and accessories on display.  It appeared that many of the tanning beds lain open with the bulbs lit!  I’m not sure I’d even want to walk into that building let alone tour the entire exhibition hall.

Granted, I’m biased.  I’m against tanning beds for obvious reasons.  At the same time, it doesn’t surprise me that there exists such a convention.  All industries have them.  Despite all the recent talk about gun control, there was still a gun show nearby within the last month.  Cigarette use has plummeted in the US, but I’m sure the tobacco industry still has its own gathering.  The Porn Industry has a big convention in Vegas every year (so I’ve heard)…and I’m sure they have their share of protestors.  So I don’t fault the tanning industry for gathering and comparing notes…it’s the American capitalist way.  But the video just oozed ignorance to the dangers of tanning.  The night club like lighting…the glitzy décor…and techno-funk music…all made the tanning biz seem like some non-stop orgy of golden skin delight.  It was sickening.

The second disappointing feature was a “diversion”…a statement regarding Supre Tan’s support of products sold ONLY at professional tanning salons.  Apparently there are quite a few imposters online that could pose a risk to one’s skin health.  Their statement read as follows:

Sure, ‘professional’ tanning products are available on the Internet.  Tempting as it is to buy them online, be warned.  There’s a dark side to these slick imposters.  They’re diverted products that may be contaminated, black market or counterfeit.

Counterfeit products often contain high levels of bacteria and other impurities.  Don’t endanger the health of your skin or the life of your tan.

Buy Supre products only from professional tanning salons.  And spread the word about the risks of buying professional tanning products anywhere else.

It’s your skin.  Take care of it.

Let me repeat the last line…”It’s your skin.  Take care of it.”  Yes, this was written by a company that thrives from the tanning salon market.  A product that studies have shown radically increases one’s chance of skin cancer and melanoma.  A product that is a declared carcinogen by the World Health Organization.  (Claims that the tanning industry will deny and dispute).

Today I read an article where the Skin Cancer Foundation lodged a formal complaint to the FTC stating that the Jersey Shore (Snooki’s show) reruns and subsequent spin-offs continue to promote tanning which in turn encourages young viewers to engage in cancer-causing habits.  The show is claimed to be deceptive as it fails to disclose the links between tanning and skin cancer. 

You may recall that I wrote a similar appeal to MTV back in April.  Read it here.

MTV stated that their viewers can be trusted to understand the difference between entertainment and responsible behavior.  This may be true for many…after all, I can’t imagine ANYONE taking the cast of Jersey Shore seriously.  But there are those that do.  The Skin Cancer Foundation suggested that MTV at least post a warning message at some point during the show.  This may not work overall, but it certainly can’t hurt.  Is MTV’s decision not to air such a disclaimer worth risking the life of one fan that lies in a tanning bed just to be like Snooki?

Dear MTV

Dear MTV,

It’s been a while since I’ve spent a lot of time with you.  I’ll be turning 50 this year, so I’m hardly in your intended demographic.  But I’m definitely part of the MTV generation as I tuned in during your infant years.

I still have a crush on Martha Quinn, recall the debut of the Thriller video, remember when Adam Sandler was an extra feature on “Remote Control,” and cherish the memory of watching Live Aid.   You were a part of my daily life back then and I’m sure you’re still part of millions of lives today.  That’s why I’m back for this chat.

Your network has a direct impact on pop culture and influences many young lives.  Your programming has changed, but I know that today’s shows have as much punch as those from my college days.  Many of the shows now are reality based…some more serious than others.  I believe one of your most successful shows is “Jersey Shore.”

Frankly, that show isn’t really to my tastes, but I know of many people who enjoy it.  I can appreciate that while the people on that show are real, there escapades are cartoonish, thus the entertainment factor.  And yet, even in the ridiculous scenarios in which these young adults participate, what they do has some influence on your audience.  Whether it’s their fashion, their partying life, their language, or their tendency to get into trouble, there are young viewers who see the Jersey Shore cast as role models and copy their actions.  I know that I copied the styles seen on MTV from the 80’s (sometimes regrettably so).  There is one Jersey Shore “tradition” however towards which I think MTV should post disclaimers.  That involves the cast’s seemingly addictive behavior towards tanning.

Many states across the country are adopting tanning bed bans for minors.  California led the way and others are following close behind.  The main reason is that use of tanning beds significantly increases one’s chance of being diagnosed with melanoma.  Melanoma is not “just skin cancer,” it’s one of the most aggressive and invasive cancers there is.  One person every hour dies from this disease.  And what may be shocking to you is that melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15-29 years old.  This is EXACTLY your demographic!

I’m not asking for you to cancel “Jersey Shore” or even censor the show.  What I’d like to see is the occasional public service announcement regarding sun safety.  You were responsible for encouraging America’s youthful population to “Rock the Vote” back in the ‘80’s…I would love to see you spearhead a similar campaign to protect one’s skin.

Please Google “Dear 16 Year Old Me” and you’ll see the benchmark of melanoma PSAs.  I wouldn’t expect you to churn out anything as long as this one, but just a simple yet hip notice that sun safety should be taken seriously.  I know far too many younger people that have suffered greatly from melanoma…all you have to do is check the blog-o-sphere.  I’m sure one of them would be happy to share her story.

As for Jersey Shore, I hope it continues to be a big ratings hit for you.  Eventually, you’ll come up with another new show to be the next big thing, and the Jersey Shore cast will begin to fade away.  I can only hope that their tans would fade a bit first.

Sincerely,

Black is the New Pink