More than 9 out of 10 indoor tanning professionals think that dermatology industry groups who say that any UV exposure is implicitly harmful are criminally liable for mis-stating the truth.

Only 9 percent in the poll thought the derm groups were not criminally liable.

“The case that any UV exposure is harmful was a cornerstone of what the American Academy of Dermatology, the Skin Cancer Foundation and other dermatology groups presented to the FDA last week,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “Apparently, humans are the only species on the planet for which sunshine is always harmful. Conveniently, humans are also the only species who purchase dermatology services and products.”

Smart Tan’s position on UV is more enlightened: Saying that any UV exposure is implicitly harmful and should be avoided is like saying that water causes drowning, and therefore water should be avoided. It’s a gross misrepresentation of the complex relationship we have with UV.

We’d be dead without UV. But we could do without dermatology lobbying groups.