Recent research from Prof. Jennifer McWhirter, Department of Population Medicine at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, was featured in a Canadian Press article that appeared on CBC.ca, CTVNews.ca and several other publications.

CTV Kitchener  also featured the research.

McWhirter found that 2014 legislation passed in Ontario banning teens from tanning salons until age 18 and mandating health warning signs in salons has been largely ineffective.

The study found no fines had been issued by any of the public health units she surveyed. She told CP that without fines, salons have little incentive to comply with the legislation.

She studies dissemination of health information and misinformation and effects on health knowledge and behaviours. She teaches health communication and health promotion in the master of public health program at OVC.