Tanning Industry Blames 10,000 Salon Closings On 'Obamacare'

The tanning salon industry is feeling burned by "Obamacare."

Business owners around the country say the little-noticed 10 percent tax on tanning in the health care overhaul has crippled the industry, forcing the closing of nearly 10,000 of the more than 18,000 tanning salons in the U.S.

Experts say the industry is overstating the effects of the "tan tax" and that it has been hurt by other factors, including the passage of laws in dozens of states restricting the use of tanning salons by minors.

Nevertheless, some salon owners say the law will be on their minds on Election Day. Republicans have vowed to repeal "Obamacare" if they win the presidency and retain control of Congress.

The industry has spent millions lobbying to repeal the tax, which it says destroyed 81,000 tanning jobs.

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