Australians' use of fake tanning lotions: another piece of the puzzle

Objective: To assess community attitudes and practices in relation to fake tanning lotions. Methods: 1,509 New South Wales residents aged 15 years and over, selected at random, completed a computer-assisted telephone survey. Results: Thirty-three per cent of respondents thought fake tanning lotions were unsafe. In relation to The Cancer Council marketing fake tanning lotions, more than three-fifths thought The Cancer Council would be promoting tans, although 62% thought it would be a good thing as fake tans are safer than tanning in the sun. Nine per cent of respondents had used fake tanning lotions in the past 12 months. Almost half (48%) of female current users used fake tanning lotions occasionally or only for special occasions during the past summer. In particular settings, the sunscreen and hat-wearing practices of female users and non-users of fake tanning lotions differed significantly. Conclusion: There appears to be no consistent data to suggest that fake tanning lotions may be used as a safer alternative to sun tanning. However, there is a responsibility to at least disseminate accurate information on these products.