Media Advisory: London experts will discuss the health effects of vaping at community event

In 2019, a spate of vaping-related lung injuries occurred across North America, dominating headlines. While one in four high school students have tried vaping in the past 30 days, the full extent of the health effects are still being studied by clinicians and researchers.

On March 10, 2020, Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry are inviting the community to hear the latest about vaping research and policy from a panel of experts and to join the conversation about the health effects of vaping.

Lawson and Schulich Medicine & Dentistry experts are at the forefront of research into the effects of vaping and are actively contributing to the scientific and clinical knowledge around vaping-related lung injury.

This community event includes a series of small presentations followed by a panel discussion.

Panelists include:

Dr. Karen Bosma was part of the team that published the first reported case of vaping-related lung injury in Canada. She is a Critical Care Specialist at London Health Sciences Centre, an Associate Scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute and an Associate Professor at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.

Dr. Constance Mackenzie was part of the team that published the first reported case of vaping-related lung injury in Canada. She is an Assistant Professor at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, a Respirologist and Toxicologist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London and the Assistant Medical Director at Ontario/Manitoba/Nunavut Poison Centre.

Dr. Grace Parraga is a Professor at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Lung Imaging, and a Scientist at Robarts Research Institute.

Suraj Paul, Aliana Manji, and Morgan Seabrook are high school students who are part of the Human Environments Analysis Laboratory Youth Advisory Council (HEALYAC) at Western. This group of young people used existing research and their own personal experience to inform a position paper on vaping that called for strict marketing rules and new safeguards on the online purchase of vaping products for anyone under the age of 19.

Carly Weeks is a Health Reporter for The Globe and Mail who has extensively reported on the cases of vaping-related injury across North America. She’ll bring background and will moderate the panel discussion.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Location: Lecture Theatre, Museum London, London, Ontario

**The event is completely full to capacity. Members of the media are welcome to attend the panel discussion, but must contact Crystal Mackay to confirm attendance and to request interviews**

 MEDIA CONTACT: Crystal Mackay, Media Relations Officer, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, t. 519.661.2111 ext. 80387, c. 519.933.5944, crystal.mackay@schulich.uwo.ca @CrystalMackay

ABOUT WESTERN
Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.

ABOUT THE SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY
The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University is one of Canada’s preeminent medical and dental schools. Established in 1881, it was one of the founding schools of Western University and is known for being the birthplace of family medicine in Canada. For more than 130 years, the School has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for scientific discovery.

ABOUT LAWSON HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE
As the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, and working in partnership with Western University, Lawson Health Research Institute is committed to furthering scientific knowledge to advance health care around the world.