Do You Agree with Taxing Indoor Tanning Services?

The US Senate's 10% tax on indoor tanning is a small piece of the new healthcare reform package, currently in reconciliation phase between the House and Senate. It stems from the proposed 5% tax on cosmetic procedures that was in their health care reform bill.

The indoor tanning tax follows a "health-based" theme. The government is targeting a service linked to skin cancer and a culprit to increasing health care costs. Lawmakers like to say this tax will help deter people from a behavior that is detrimental to their health while raising tax revenue in the present. Sound familiar...smokers, drinkers?

The indoor tanning tax has raised concern among tanning salons and spa owners. Some will have to pass the tax onto the consumer while others may be able to foot the increase in hopes of keeping and attracting more customers. For some, tanning is surely addictive and while the government may want us to believe they are looking out for our best interest, most aren't so naive. It may, however, (and I hope it does) help raise awareness that frequenting the indoor or outdoor tanning bed really can have detrimental effects.

I would have preferred to see both the 5% tax on cosmetic procedures and the 10% tax on indoor tanning services. While I feel health care reform is needed, I haven't been pleased with the direction it has gone thus far. The government is protecting big businesses (as usual) by not imposing tax on Botox or facelifts. The small business and consumer will be most affected by the proposed tanning tax to aid in funding reform. This won't bring nearly as much tax revenue as the tax on cosmetics would have.

I am in favor of the tanning tax. Smokers pay outrageous taxes (and get wrinkles) to counterbalance future health care cost and my Mom always said, "Beauty must suffer" so, welcome aboard indoor tanners! Let's legalize marijuana too. That's where substantial amounts of tax revenue could come from to help with health care cost and reform. Furthermore, marijuana advocates in California are for increasing taxes on medical cannabis.

My only question is: where does it stop? A fast food tax, extreme sports tax... When will those on top contribute? Will there be an increase in tax for those that purchase the tanning bed for personal use? Here's a funny: escort service tax...to offset outrageous politician salaries and for anticipated future health care costs you'll need to fight your VD!

Sources:
Self
Tax Cannabis
Political Sex Scandals