In a year that stands to go down as the warmest-ever on record, nearly three-quarters of tanning facilities say the weather has hurt their bottom line more than usual this year — a variable on top of an uncertain economy and the new 10 percent federal tax on tanning that has made 2010 one of the most challenging years in tanning history.

According to a SmartTan.com poll conducted in late July and early August, 71 percent of tanning business owners thought the weather hurt their business more than usual this year. Only 7 percent felt it helped them, while 22 percent felt it has had no impact. In an April SmartTan.com poll, 89 percent of tanning business owners felt the weather had impacted their business in the spring.

“The weather has been one more challenge to overcome for many tanning businesses this year,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “The tanning businesses we’re talking to feel if they can get through everything this season has thrown at them, that they can get through anything.”