AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A Houston company must pay nearly $142,000 to resolve false advertising claims that indoor tanning could help prevent cancer.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Monday announced the agreement with Darque (dark) Tan LLC. State regulators say the company offers tanning for cosmetic purposes and not health reasons.
Darque Tan falsely claimed customers at its 60 indoor tanning facilities would benefit from increased Vitamin D levels and reduced cancer risks.
Texas law says salons can only advertise that use of indoor tanning beds darkens the skin. Federal regulators say tanning beds can't be marketed for health benefits unless the agency specifically approves that use.
A San Antonio Darque Tan franchise, Tan Biz LLC, and owners Monica and Jason Jones agreed to pay $20,000 in penalties in a separate agreement.
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