RIGHTS FOR VAPERS
Rights 4 Vapers is a movement dedicated to advancing evidence-based regulations on vaping. We are an informal collection of committed volunteers who believe that vapers deserve to make an informed choice. We are guided by unpaid academic advisors.
Christopher Lalonde, Ph.D., is a developmental psychologist and Professor of Psychology at the University of Victoria and a published author and researcher. His research focuses on cultural influences on identity formation and wellbeing and is keenly interested in the relations between policy and youth health. He is currently involved in a research program with First Nations in British Columbia and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs that explores how the promotion of First Nations cultures and the pursuit of self-determination fosters youth health and wellbeing.
Gopal Bhatnagar, MD, is Chief of Cardiac Surgery in the Heart and Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Bhatnagar served as Chief of Staff at Trillium Health Centre, Ontario, Canada.
Dr. Bhatnagar received his medical degree from the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. He completed his residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Toronto and was the youngest Chief of Cardiac Surgery appointed at the same university. He also led the development of the Cardiac Surgery Department at The Trillium Health Centre. With his involvement over 20 years, Trillium Health Centre has become the 3rd largest cardiac surgery centre in the province and the largest beating heart surgery service in Canada. At The Trillium Health Center, he served as Chief of Cardiac Surgery from 2000 to 2005, and as Medical Director of the Cardiac Program from 2001 to 2006. Dr. Gopal then served as Chief of Staff from 2006 to 2015.
Helen Cran is a longtime youth advocate, mother of three, grandmother of one, and full-time foster mother of high-risk youth and children with special needs. Over her career she has worked as an educational assistant in the Richmond School District and as a Program Coordinator in the community living sector where she supported and advocated for individuals with varied abilities and special needs. She has received leadership training from the Justice Institute of British Columbia and brings her passion for helping people to everything she does.
After trying to quit smoking on and off for 38 years Helen finally did so when she was introduced to vaping two years ago. She has since used this achievement as a touchstone to improve her overall health, which has led her to taking up regular cardiovascular exercise resulting in 90 pounds of weight loss. Helen’s path to good health began by kicking her addiction to tobacco and setting out to climb a single set of stairs at her local park. You will now find her in the gym five days a week and every weekend on the stairs conquering the “Coquitlam Crunch.”
Brandee Eubank worked as a microbiologist in Calgary and led a wonderful team of primarily environmental and agricultural scientists. During that time I also had the opportunity to volunteer with an organization that lent support to at risk youth. I joined with my husband in opening a small, specialized vape shop in 2015 that we operate to this day. My commitment to the vaping community is based on larger, long-standing commitments to harm reduction, respect for personal autonomy, and meeting people where they are at.