For decades, doctors have warned consumers that indoor tanning is a skin cancer risk to be avoided.But if that was a message sun-starved Chicagoans didn't want to hear, Dr. Joseph Mercola had a tanning bed to sell them. And he had a sales pitch to sweeten the deal. He claimed the tanning beds that he sold for between $1,200 and $4,000 from his Hoffman Estates based-business not only didn't cause cancer, but also actively reduced the chances of getting it.There was only one problem with Mercola's spiel, according to a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit: It was nonsense. On Thursday, the agency announced a settlement of its false advertising claim against the 61-year old osteopathic physician, under which he agreed to pay his customers refunds totaling up to $5.3 million, and promised to stop selling tanning beds for good.Mercola, 61, uses his website and books to back a number of discredited, fringe medical causes on topics that include vaccinations and fluoridated water. He stars in web videos for his company, Mercola Health Resources, and wrote articles in which he claimed cold winters in the Midwest meant Chicagoans, in particular, would benefit from his tanning beds, which he said could "reverse your wrinkles" and "slash your risk of cancer."
Federal regulators called him out, also accusing him of failing to disclose that he'd paid for an endorsement from the nonprofit Vitamin D Council."These types of false claims are especially troubling because of the serious health risks posed by indoor tanning," said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection, in a news release. "The fact is, indoor tanning is not safe because it increases the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma." But speaking Thursday, Mercola said he only settled the case as "a business decision," and stands by his claims that his tanning beds had cancer-fighting benefits and that Americans were suffering from what he called an "epidemic" of under-exposure to ultraviolet light, which he said could be treated by "moderate" sun bed use."People can die of drinking too much water," he said. "Too much of anything is a bad thing."It isn't Mercola's first run-in with regulators. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wrote to him three times between 2005 and 2011 accusing him of violating federal laws by marketing a device he claimed was a "revolutionary" alternative to mammograms.
He was also warned about his marketing of unproven dietary supplements. While he acknowledged Thursday that he'd sold thousands of tanning beds between 2012 and last year, he said his business is not "a tool ... to get me a bigger house and car" but rather a means of funding his mission to "inform consumers" about "natural health."He said he moved from the Chicago area to Florida, where he owns a waterfront mansion, four years ago because of his belief in the health benefits of the sun. He said that he accused parts of the medical and business communities of having a "carefully orchestrated campaign against me" and said he'd always been open about donations he'd made to the Vitamin D Council, though he disputed that they were made in return for an endorsement.Under his deal with the FTC, customers who bought a tanning bed from him will receive letters, offering them a full refund.Should it be approved by a federal judge, the deal would also ban Mercola from making false claims about any other product he sells.
Authorities used a similar method to bring down TV pitchman and fraudster Kevin Trudeau, who was eventually imprisoned after a series of civil actions by the government for violating the terms of an earlier court order that he stop lying in his pitches.The requested URL /Merch?temp_type=browse&category=results&tp=ME_mlive&classification=For%20Sale&ads_per_page=50& was not found on this server.$TANNING BED - $800 (Haughton) Sunvision Pro 28LX by Wolff. Recently moved and have no room for it. Text 318-286-6361 Location HaughtonPostingID3526493897$ $TANNING BED - $800 (Haughton) Wolff Sunvision Pro 28LX. Moved and have no room for it. $Tanning Bed - $1200 (Haughton) Moving and have no room to take tanning bed to new home. It is a Sunvision Pro 28LX. Paid 1800 last year, asking 1200. $Tanning Bed - Sunvision Pro 28LX (Commercial Grade) - $700 (Mt Cobb) hide this posting restore this postingWolff Sunvision Pro 28LX tanning bed. Lightly used in a professional spa.
Includes pillow and sign. Features staggered l configuration so tanner can choose to avoid tanning the face if desired. Buyer is responsible for relocation of bed.Showing Saturday between 2 - $ $Commercial Tanning Beds - $400 SUNVISION WOLFF PRO 28LX SERIESBio-Tech tunnel design surrounds tanners for fast, consistently dark all-over tanning results.Each tanning bed in the Pro 28 LX Wolff series is designed with 28 powerful high-output 100-watt Wolff System ls. Plus, Pro 28 LXs staggered l design places more ls over the fac$ $Commercial Tanning Beds - $400 lt image 1 of 2 gt (google map) $Commercial Tanning Beds - $400 hide this posting restore this posting $Commercial Tanning Beds For Sale - $400Plus, Pro 28 LXs staggered l design places more ls over the fac$&temp_type=browse&tp=ME_mlive was not found on this server.Tanning West Michigan Since 1993! Midnite Sun has 12 locations in Muskegon, Grand Haven, Holland and Grand Rapids!The Best Tanning Equipment We offer 4 levels of UV Tanning + Spray Tanning & Red Light Therapy.
The Best Tanning Products We offer a wide variety of Tanning and Non Tanning products. We seek the best ingredients to ensure your skin looks amazing at all times. Outstanding trained sales team who are trained in product knowledge and know how to help you achieve your best color. We offer a wide variety of memberships to fit your every need whether it’s UV, Sunless or Red Light. 363 Days of Tanning We are open 7 days a week, 363 days a year to help you achieve and maintain that perfect glow!Clear all selections Departments $ to $ Clear all selections $ to $ Clear price Storm 24S Wolff System Tanning Bed with Face Lamps | Wolff Systems Standard 5.0 UVB Tanning Lamps | Solar Wave 16RL Wolff System Tanning Bed | Wolff Systems Maximum 9.9 UVB Bronzing Lamps | Clint GreerSteve NicholsSarah BlanchetteDenise Simmons.Thaddeus KlingJoshua Elema!Chris MitchellDalton FoxScott BrotonErik Flores!Leslie CrossMorgan KnothSee allThe Rec RoomThe Rec Room updated their business hours.
Call NowThe Rec Room added 7 new photos.CHECK OUT THE NEW UPDATED MENU LOTS OF NEW ITEMSSee allThe Rec Room shared GYM Motivation's photo.We all start somewhere, I was fat once upon a timeGYM MotivationSo true. Respect everyone's journey and those trying to fix the problemThe Rec Room shared The Rec Room Event Center's photo.There is still time to get your tickets for New years EveThe Rec Room Event CentertoThe Rec Room Rockin Eve PartyTHIS YEARS LINE UPThe Rec Room shared The Rec Room Event Center's photo.The Rec Room Event CentertoThe Rec Room Rockin Eve PartyTHIS YEARS LINE UPThe Rec Room shared The Rec Room Event Center's event.The Rec Room Rockin Eve PartyThe Rec Room Event CenterThe Rec RoomFOR THE FITNESS ENTHUSIAST IN YOUR LIFE WEEKEND SPECIAL BUY A REC ROOM GIFT CARD GET AN EXTRA 10% FOR FREE!! FRIDAY & SAT ONLY $25 = $27.50 ... $50 = $55 $100 = $110 The Rec RoomFace Book Friends We need your help. The Rec Room has made it to the final round of the Loeks Theater celebrated service award.
Public Voting begins today Nov 2nd at 9AM - Nov 10th We need to get as many people to vote as possible As a Thank you each vote will automatically enter you to win some great prizes. and voting for THE REC ROOM. Y...ou can receive 1 additional entry for each person you share this post with. The more shares the greater your chances of winning. Winning this award would mean a great deal to us, The winner will receive a year of on screen advertising at the movie theaters to help promote the business in the Community, and 10 free movie passes a month to share with our loyal customers. Thanks you all for the Continued Support of The Rec Room. The Rec Room added 2 new photos.The Rec Room is pleased to announce that we have made it to the Final round of the Loeks Theaters Celebrated Service Award for 2017. Public voting for the award begins on Oct 27th. Stay tuned for more info and your Chance to Vote for us. The winner of this award receives $5000 cash price $80,000 in On Screen Advertising and 10 free movie passes per month.
The Rec Room looks forward to sharing these perks with our valued customers stay tuned for more exciting announcementsThe Rec Room shared The Rec Room Event Center's post.The Rec Room Event Center added 12 new photos — at The Rec Room Event CenterMuskegon, MI, United StatesHere's a look at some of the items at the sale today. New and used items stop out today and tomorrow 9-5 pmThe Rec Room shared The Rec Room Event Center's photo.The Rec Room Event CenterDON'T FORGET TO STOP OUT THIS WEEKEND, STILL TIME TO RESERVE TABLES TO SELL AS WELLThe Rec RoomThe New blueberry muffin quest bars are hereThe Rec Room shared The Rec Room Event Center's event.Please Share with your Friends & Family and contact us if you would like to have tables at the event.Indoor Yard Sale/ Vendor SaleThe Rec Room Event CenterThe Rec RoomSAVE BIG $$$$$ AT THE REC ROOMThe Rec Room shared their album.The Rec Room added 4 new photos to the album SOLAR STORM 32S TANNING BED — in Muskegon, Michigan.For Sale $1,200 or Best Offer Solar Storm 32S Tanning Bed.