New York State Attorney Eric Schneiderman has filed lawsuits against two tanning chains, including one that serves the Rochester area.
The lawsuits are against Total Tan, which has 3 locations in the Rochester area, and Portofino Spas which has locations in Manhattan.
The suits accuse both franchises of false advertising by denying or minimizing scientific evidence linking tanning to an increased cancer risk and promoting indoor tanning as a safe way to reap the benefits of vitamin D and other supposed health benefits.
Attorneys for Total Tan issued a statement which disputes the attorney general's claims. The statement quotes a business and marketing expert as saying their company's advertising meets federal and state laws. Total Tan says it is a small, upstate, family-owned business that refuses to be intimidated by Schneiderman.
