IFC / 151
2015 ASA
Activities and
Achievements
I
n 2015, the American Suntanning
Association has taken some very
important steps toward changing the
world’s perspective on UV light. The
ASA Board of Directors and consultants
have worked hard to fine-tune activities
and adjust budget priorities to better meet
our industry’s many objectives, developing
new and innovative efforts to overcome the
many issues facing our industry.
The ASA has developed many assets in its
short tenure, and one of particular note is
the agility of their leadership. Many industry
organizations take years to change direction
when circumstances call for change. A
review of the ASA’s many accomplishments
show how they’ve adapted quickly and
effectively to maximize resources and better
meet our industry objectives.
RESEARCH
Research has, and will be, the foundation for
all of ASA’s efforts, and recent discussions
have focused on improving the focus of
ASA’s research investments. Due to limited
industry resources, research efforts will be
carefully selected to maximize the industry’s
opportunities. Many research projects have
been discussed and evaluated to help move
the market forward.
FEDERAL LOBBYING
The federal government’s position on
indoor tanning continues to be a primary
focus. The ASA has held several hundred
meetings with Congress and government
agencies so far in 2015. This level of
communication with federal decision
makers had never been achieved prior to
the ASA organizing, and it is making a
significant impact.
TAN TAX REPEAL
The ASA worked hard for two years to
launch a strategic effort to repeal the
onerous Tan Tax. After many months of
preparation, the Tanning Tax Repeal Act
of 2015 was introduced by Rep. George
Holding (R-NC) and Rep. Collin Peterson
(D-MN) in the House of Representatives
on June 9, 2015. The ASA’s hard work
resulted in the bipartisan legislation, which
has already garnered an impressive 45 co-
sponsors for the bill. With the introduction
of legislation in the House, the ASA will
continue to work to move the bill forward.
FALSE CLAIMS LAWSUIT
In July of 2015, an unprecedented lawsuit
was filed by a group of ASA member salons
against the Nebraska Cancer Coalition and
two of its officers seeking an injunction
and public correction relating to NCC’s
controversial “The Bed Is Dead” anti-
suntanning campaign. The lawsuit comes
after nearly a year of conversation between
legal counsel for ASA and NCC, with ASA
pointing out more than a dozen major
concerns with material on TheBedIsDead.
com. The 37-page action and more
supporting documents are available on-line
at www.NebraskaTanFacts.com.
State Lobbying
The ASA’s 2015 state regulatory plan
encouraged salon advocates to engage in
their state battles along side the ASA. This
program worked very effectively as many
salon groups attended important hearings to
help support ASA’s well-planned strategy to
fight onerous regulations.
For more information or to become a member, visit AmericanSuntanning.org or call 855-879-7678