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Tanning salon owners sue Nebraska Cancer Coalition

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A group of tanning salon owners is suing the Nebraska Cancer Coalition, accusing it of making false, defamatory statements about tanning that have hurt the businesses.

The business owners operate 30 tanning salons in Omaha and Lincoln and said Wednesday they will file the lawsuit in Douglas County District Court.

The lawsuit says the coalition's anti-tanning campaign called "The Bed is Dead" included inaccuracies and misleading elements, violating the Nebraska Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

The Nebraska Cancer Coalition, according to its website, is a statewide partnership of 350 people representing 200 public and private organizations working to prevent and control cancer.

Coalition President Alan Thorson, a colon and rectal surgeon in Omaha who is also named in the lawsuit, did not immediately return a message Wednesday seeking comment.

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