The Council is made up of over 45 organizations, agencies and associations who stand as a united voice to reduce skin cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality through awareness, prevention, early detection, research and advocacy.

What We Do

The NCSCP is involved in a variety of health policy and educational initiatives:

End Tanning in Commercial Gyms

Gyms and health clubs should be a place to encourage fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Tanning beds are a known cause of cancer and should be especially unwelcome in these environments, but many major fitness chains offer indoor tanning services to their members and guests. In January 2019, the NCSCP sent a letter to the leaders of Anytime Fitness, Gold’s Gym and Planet Fitness, expressing its strong concern about the presence of tanning beds in their facilities. Specifically:

1. Indoor tanning devices were offered at 46% of Gold’s Gym franchises, 60% of Anytime Fitness locations, and 100% of Planet Fitness gyms, according to a 27-state survey led by Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut.

2. A 2018 study found that people who tan at a gym were significantly more likely to tan more often and to show signs of tanning dependence.

3. The inclusion of tanning beds in fitness centers encourages the misinformed and dangerous belief that tanning is healthy.

Indoor Tan-Free Skin Smart Campus Initiative

Unfortunately, despite the known risks and the fact that indoor tanning devices are a known carcinogen, tanning salons and college campuses often go hand-in-hand. The Indoor Tan-Free Skin Smart Campus Initiative awards U.S. universities and colleges that promote skin cancer prevention policies and education on campus. There are 3 ways for a campus to receive the award:

1. NOT list any off-campus housing that includes indoor tanning as an amenity on the university’s off-campus housing listings website.

2. NOT permit any indoor tanning salon to be included as a university-affiliated debit card merchant.

3. Provide access to educational programming (e.g., educational website) focusing on the risks of UV exposure and skin cancer prevention practices to students, faculty and staff at all times.

Platinum Level is achieved by fulfilling ALL 3 criteria. Gold Level is achieved by fulfilling 2 of the 3 criteria. Silver Level is achieved if 1 of the 3 criteria is met. Know of a campus that should be nominated? Let us know!

Don’t Fry Day

The NCSCP declares the Friday before Memorial Day as “Don’t Fry Day“. This year, Don’t Fry Day is May 24, 2019. The Council has developed a variety of resources for non-profit organizations, local, state and federal governments, public health professionals and educators who promote the importance of skin cancer prevention and sun-safety behaviors to use, including the Don’t Fry Day logo and promotional materials.