July 18, 2022
by Dr. Vi Thuy Nguyen
Our volunteer coalition SDPCA has nominated Drs. Peony Liu and Devon Ball Jr to be Co-Chairs of the AAP California State Government Affairs Expert Committee on Tobacco, Ecigs and Cannabis Products. This is an open volunteer position that is much needed to address the youth vaping epidemic. In brief, in San Diego we have a coordinated team that has included Dr. Peony Liu and the Rady’s Children’s Hospital Team and many on our climate committee. This is a clean air issue so it overlaps. We were able to pass anti-vaping legislation along with allies at San Diego County, City of San Diego and just have Chula Vista left which is early August. Dr. Peony Liu is a Kaiser San Diego Pediatric hospitalist, and is part of the Kaiser’s regional anti-vaping team which is throughout Southern California and has that network. Dr. Devon Ball is a 3rd year at Rady’s children’s and applying in allergy and immunology fellowship and eager to get involved, and is helping us with our August Chula Vista efforts with San Diegans vs Big Tobacco. Dr. Peony Liu is particular has already been on the local TV news and has already authored op-eds, and she has done well with media work.
SDPCA believes they can form an effective team as Co-Chairs for the state. They have had experience working with other partners including San Diegans vs Big Tobacco, Tobacco Free Kids, American Cancer Society and youth anti-vaping advocates. Also just within San Diego, the following team members have volunteered to help them with this work. Melissa Campbell DO, MPH (UCSD PGY1 who did her MPH on vaping), Laisha Felix (UCSD Premed, AMSA member), Sara Valladolid MD (AAP CA3), Vicky Pham MD (also Kaiser San Diego Anti-vaping team), Anthony Proia MD, and several youth volunteers. We hope our nomination for this volunteer anti-vaping advocacy position is greeted positively.
