Neal Benowitz

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Neal L. Benowitz is an American academic physician and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), with expertise on the pharmacology of nicotine and tobacco addiction.

Contents

Education

Benowitz studied physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 1962 to 1965. [1] He received his M.D. from the University of Rochester in 1969, after which he worked as an intern and resident at Bronx Municipal Hospital Center for two years as a resident and intern. He then spent the next year working as a fellow in clinical pharmacology at the University of California, San Francisco. [2]

Career

Benowitz joined the faculty of UCSF in 1973 as a clinical instructor. He was appointed an assistant professor there the following year, and became an associate professor in 1981. Since 1987, he has been a professor of medicine, psychiatry, and biopharmaceutical sciences at UCSF. [1] Since 1983, he has also been the chief of UCSF's Clinical Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics division. [2]

Benowitz received the 1995 Ferno Clinical Research Award from the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT). [3] In 1996, he was honored with the Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Disease. [4] The American Society of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics bestowed the Rawls-Palmer Progress in Medicine Award on Benowitz in 1999, and the Oscar B. Hunter Memorial Award in Therapeutics in 2006. [5] [6]

From 1996-97, Benowitz served as elected President of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. [7] He served as President of the American Society of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (ASCPT) from 1996-97. [8]

Research

Benowitz is known for studying the pharmacology of nicotine, [9] and he has been called "one of the country's preeminent experts on nicotine." [10] In 1988, he served as a senior scientific editor of the Surgeon General's report on nicotine addiction. [11] In 2009, he co-wrote a report from the Institute of Medicine on the cardiovascular effects of passive smoking. [12]

FDA Committee membership

In 2010, Benowitz was named a member of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, an advisory panel of the Food and Drug Administration. [13] At the time, some were concerned that he might have a conflict of interest due to the fact that he had served as a consultant to GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, who make smoking cessation products, but Benowitz dismissed these accusations, saying that he didn't see a "direct conflict of interest" because the panel does not oversee smoking cessation products. [13] In 2011, tobacco companies Lorillard and RJ Reynolds sued the Food and Drug Administration, claiming that Benowitz, along with Jack Henningfield and Jonathan Samet, had conflicts of interest that disqualified them from being members of the committee. Specifically, the tobacco companies claimed that Benowitz, Henningfield and Samet had conflicts of interest because all three of them had received thousands of dollars to testify against tobacco companies and had served as advisors to companies that make smoking cessation products. [14] In July 2014, Judge Richard J. Leon ruled in favor of the companies, finding that Benowitz, Henningfield and Samet all were ineligible to serve on the panel due to their conflicts of interest, and ordering the FDA to reorganize the panel. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicotine</span> Chemical stimulant produced by some plants

Nicotine is a naturally produced alkaloid in the nightshade family of plants and is widely used recreationally as a stimulant and anxiolytic. As a pharmaceutical drug, it is used for smoking cessation to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine acts as a receptor agonist at most nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), except at two nicotinic receptor subunits where it acts as a receptor antagonist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smoking cessation</span> Process of discontinuing tobacco smoking

Smoking cessation, usually called quitting smoking or stopping smoking, is the process of discontinuing tobacco smoking. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, which is addictive and can cause dependence. As a result, nicotine withdrawal often makes the process of quitting difficult.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bupropion</span> Medication mainly used for depression and smoking cessation

Bupropion, formerly called amfebutamone, and sold under the brand name Wellbutrin among others, is an atypical antidepressant primarily used to treat major depressive disorder and to support smoking cessation. It is also popular as an add-on medication in the cases of "incomplete response" to the first-line selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. Bupropion has several features that distinguish it from other antidepressants: it does not usually cause sexual dysfunction, it is not associated with weight gain and sleepiness, and it is more effective than SSRIs at improving symptoms of hypersomnia and fatigue. Bupropion, particularly the immediate release formulation, carries a higher risk of seizure than many other antidepressants, hence caution is recommended in patients with a history of seizure disorder. The medication is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaporizer (inhalation device)</span> Device to vaporize substances for inhalation

A vaporizer or vaporiser, colloquially known as a vape, is a device used to vaporize substances for inhalation. Plant substances can be used, commonly cannabis, tobacco, or other herbs or blends of essential oil. However, they are most commonly filled with a combination propylene glycol, glycerin, and drugs such as nicotine or tetrahydrocannabinol as a liquid solution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicotine replacement therapy</span> Treatment for tobacco use disorder

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a medically approved way to treat people with tobacco use disorder by taking nicotine through means other than tobacco. It is used to help with quitting smoking or stopping chewing tobacco. It increases the chance of quitting tobacco smoking by about 55%. Often it is used along with other behavioral techniques. NRT has also been used to treat ulcerative colitis. Types of NRT include the adhesive patch, chewing gum, lozenges, nose spray, and inhaler. The use of multiple types of NRT at a time may increase effectiveness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicotine patch</span> Transdermal patch that releases nicotine into the body

A nicotine patch is a transdermal patch that releases nicotine into the body through the skin. It is used in nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), a process for smoking cessation. Endorsed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is considered one of the safer NRTs available for the treatment of tobacco use disorder.

Nicotine gum is a chewing gum containing the active ingredient nicotine polacrilex. It is a type of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) used alone or in combination with other pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation and for quitting smokeless tobacco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicotine poisoning</span> Medical condition

Nicotine poisoning describes the symptoms of the toxic effects of nicotine following ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Nicotine poisoning can potentially be deadly, though serious or fatal overdoses are rare. Historically, most cases of nicotine poisoning have been the result of use of nicotine as an insecticide. More recent cases of poisoning typically appear to be in the form of Green Tobacco Sickness, or due to unintended ingestion of tobacco or tobacco products or consumption of nicotine-containing plants.

Nicorette is the brand name of a number of products for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) that contain nicotine polacrilex. Developed in the late 1970s in Sweden by AB Leo in the form of a chewing gum, Nicorette was the first nicotine replacement product on the market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varenicline</span> Nicotinic receptor agonist

Varenicline, sold under the brand names Chantix and Champix among others, is a medication used for smoking cessation and for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. It is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist. When activated, this receptor releases dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, the brain's reward center, thereby reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms with smoking cessation, although less pronounced than a full agonist.

NicVAX is an experimental conjugate vaccine intended to reduce or eliminate physical dependence to nicotine. According to the U.S. National Institute of Drug Abuse, NicVAX can potentially be used to inoculate against nicotine addiction. This proprietary vaccine is being developed by Nabi Biopharmaceuticals of Rockville, MD. with the support from the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NicVAX consists of the hapten 3'-aminomethylnicotine which has been conjugated (attached) to Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menthol cigarette</span> Cigarette flavored with the compound menthol

A menthol cigarette is a cigarette infused with the compound menthol which imparts a “minty” flavor to the smoke. Menthol also decreases irritant sensations from nicotine by desensitizing receptors, making smoking feel less harsh compared to regular cigarettes. Some studies have suggested that they are more addictive. Menthol cigarettes are just as hard to quit and are just as harmful as regular cigarettes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lobeline</span> Chemical compound

Lobeline is a piperidine alkaloid found in a variety of plants, particularly those in the genus Lobelia, including Indian tobacco, Devil's tobacco, great lobelia, Lobelia chinensis, and Hippobroma longiflora. In its pure form, it is a white amorphous powder which is freely soluble in water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russ Altman</span> American biomedical scientist and academic

Russ Biagio Altman is an American professor of bioengineering, genetics, medicine, and biomedical data science and past chairman of the bioengineering department at Stanford University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electronic cigarette</span> Device that vaporizes a liquid nicotine solution for inhalation

An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), or vape, is a device that simulates tobacco smoking. It consists of an atomizer, a power source such as a battery, and a container such as a cartridge or tank. Instead of smoke, the user inhales vapor. As such, using an e-cigarette is often called "vaping". The atomizer is a heating element that vaporizes a liquid solution called e-liquid, which quickly cools into an aerosol of tiny droplets, vapor and air. The vapor mainly comprises propylene glycol and/or glycerin, usually with nicotine and flavoring. Its exact composition varies, and depends on several things including user behavior.

Elbert D. Glover is an American researcher and author in the field of tobacco addiction and smoking cessation. He retired as professor emeritus at the University of Maryland at College Park School of Public Health where he served as Chairperson of the Department of Behavioral and Community Health from 2005 to his retirement in 2015. He was an entrepreneur, editor, publisher, co-founder and principal owner of Health Behavior and Policy Review, and co-founder, owner, editor, and publisher of American Journal of Health Behavior and Tobacco Regulatory Science. Glover was the founder of the American Academy of Health Behavior and served as its first president from 1997 to 2001.

The Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) is an advisory panel of the United States Food and Drug Administration organized to provide advice, information and recommendations to the FDA commissioner on matters related to the regulation of tobacco products. It was created in accordance to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama on June 22, 2009. The Committee was inaugurated during its March 30–31, 2010 meeting.

The scientific community in the United States and Europe are primarily concerned with the possible effect of electronic cigarette use on public health. There is concern among public health experts that e-cigarettes could renormalize smoking, weaken measures to control tobacco, and serve as a gateway for smoking among youth. The public health community is divided over whether to support e-cigarettes, because their safety and efficacy for quitting smoking is unclear. Many in the public health community acknowledge the potential for their quitting smoking and decreasing harm benefits, but there remains a concern over their long-term safety and potential for a new era of users to get addicted to nicotine and then tobacco. There is concern among tobacco control academics and advocates that prevalent universal vaping "will bring its own distinct but as yet unknown health risks in the same way tobacco smoking did, as a result of chronic exposure", among other things.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco</span>

The Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) is an international nonprofit organization and professional association that studies and shares research on nicotine and tobacco use from a public health and scientific perspective. It is the largest organization focused on nicotine and tobacco, with members in 40 countries.

Jed Eugene Rose is an American academic professor, inventor and researcher in the field of nicotine and smoking cessation. Rose is presently the President and CEO of the Rose Research Center, LLC in Raleigh, North Carolina. Additionally, he is the Director of the Duke Center for Smoking Cessation at Duke University Medical Center.

References

  1. 1 2 "Neal L. Benowitz, M.D. Curriculum Vitae" (PDF). Food and Drug Administration . Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. 1 2 "Neal L. Benowitz, MD". UCSF. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "History of SRNT Award Winners". SRNT. 2024-10-30. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  4. ↑ "The Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Disease". Ochsner Health. 2024-10-30. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  5. ↑ "Rawls-Palmer Progress in Medicine Award" (PDF). ASCPT. 2024-10-30. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  6. ↑ "Oscar B. Hunter Career Award in Therapeutics" (PDF). ASCPT. 2024-10-30. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  7. ↑ "Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco: Past Presidents". SRNT. 2024-10-30. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  8. ↑ "ASCPT Past Presidents". www.ascpt.org. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  9. ↑ Tavernise, Sabrina (23 February 2014). "A Hot Debate Over E-Cigarettes as a Path to Tobacco, or From It". New York Times. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Moriarty, Erin (17 April 2015). "Killer poison: Nicotine as a murder weapon?". CBS News. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  11. ↑ Wilson, Duff (8 June 2010). "Group Objects to 2 Members of Tobacco Safety Panel". New York Times. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  12. ↑ "Report: Smoking bans protect nonsmokers' hearts". USA Today. Associated Press. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  13. 1 2 Kesmodel, David (1 March 2010). "FDA Tobacco Panel Includes Members With Quit-Smoking Ties". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  14. ↑ Wilson, Duff (26 February 2011). "Lorillard and Reynolds Sue F.D.A." New York Times. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  15. ↑ Levin, Myron (5 October 2014). "Why Big Tobacco keeps demolishing the FDA in federal court". Salon. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
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