WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help strengthen health and safety protections for American consumers, the U.S. Senate today passed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reauthorization bill. The legislation, which passed by a vote of 93-1, includes a key provision authored by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) which would help raise public awareness of the dangers of indoor tanning devices. "The bill we passed today will help increase transparency of the food and drug approval process and ensure that more Americans have access to safe and effective medicines," said Reed, a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. "This legislation will ensure that the FDA has the tools and resources it needs, while at the same time restoring public confidence in the integrity of the agency and providing greater transparency on its actions." In addition to improving oversight of food and drugs, the Food and Drug Administration Revitalization Act (S.1082) also directs the FDA to review the warning labels on indoor tanning beds and approve a safe and effective national standard to educate consumers about the risks of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. "Each year, nearly 1 million people are affected by skin cancer and these rates are on the rise. Yet even with this data, millions of Americans continue to use tanning beds, including large numbers of teenagers," said Reed. "Passing this bill will help raise awareness about the dangers of ultraviolet rays in tanning devices, and hopefully save lives." Currently, the warning on tanning beds is more than 100 words long and is often placed where it is not immediately visible. Reed's provision will require the FDA to conduct consumer testing and to hold public hearings on the wording and location of warning labels on tanning devices, develop alternatives that more effectively convey the appropriate risk information, and report to Congress its findings. "This is a serious health issue. The ultraviolet light exposure from tanning beds can greatly increase the risk of skin cancer," said Senator Reed. "The FDA must take the necessary steps to ensure that tanning beds have adequate health warnings so consumers, especially young people, will be fully informed about the high risk and long-term health hazards of tanning."