A listing of the most dangerous forms of radiation that cause skin cancer now includes a new item: tanning beds, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Tanning beds are now said to definitely cause cancer, not just probably cause it, and the American Cancer Society suggests people stop tanning in tanning beds completely, the foundation stated.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. More than 1 million cases are diagnosed each year and about 2,000 Americans are killed from this disease each year.

Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, kills more than 7,000 Americans and strikes more than 59,000 Americans each year. The American Cancer Society also found that 75 percent of people who use tanning beds before the age of 35 develop melanoma.

A Mayo Clinic dermatologist said people may not know they can receive rashes, warts, HPV, cellulitis, cataract and retina damage and infections along with skin cancer from tanning beds. Premature aging and wrinkling of the skin is directly related to sun exposure. People are much more likely to develop melanoma or nonlife-threatening skin cancer by 55 percent from being exposed just once a month.

If no action is taken, more people will not only continue to tan and develop wrinkly, aging skin, but also develop skin cancer and possibly die. Recent reports show skin cancer rates are increasing by 2.3 percent in females and 7.7 percent in males each year, said Len Lichtenfeld, American Cancer Society deputy chief medical officer.

The problem is that some people are unaware of the dangers of ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds, Lichtenfeld said.

Tanning also may become more expensive. A proposed 10 percent federal tax on indoor tanning services was added to the latest U.S. Senate health care reform bill in December, according to the International Smart Tan Network, The 10 percent “Tan Tax” could lead to more than 1,000 tanning business closures, resulting in more than 9,000 lost jobs in 2010.

The tax on the nation’s professional tanning facilities would generate less than $170 million in its first year and even less in subsequent years due to business closures, an estimated 40 to 50 percent less than what bill sponsors projected to collect in taxes over 10 years.

“Body image is sadly too scrutinized in this nation for a 10 percent tax to affect anyone’s behavior,” said Amy Taylor, accounting junior. “The media has focused several campaigns against tanning for health factors and it has deterred few from tanning, so a small tax will not stop people from tanning.”