Jon Samet, MD, MS

Jonathan M. Samet, MD, MS, a pulmonary physician and epidemiologist, is Dean of the Colorado School of Public Health.

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

The Peace Park and A-Bomb Dome in Hiroshima- a grim reminder of the consequences of nuclear war.

Here in my role as a Board Member guiding @RERF_Japan. One gift from the survivors to humanity: an understanding of the risks of radiation.

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

Evidence is ever stronger on benefits of smoking cessation. I am pleased to have been an Editor on this 1st report for @Surgeon_General Adams, 30 years after I was Senior Scientific Editor for the 1990 cessation report—the same message: QUIT! #quitsmoking

https://t.co/GJWmKDhWbp

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

@bethlinas Hi and thanks. All good in CO

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

A8 Stop! At least for now, until we understand what is causing the EVALI epidemic. We need to hear from CDC on their work and wait for further action by FDA. For those not wanting to take any risk, stopping works.

#ATSchat

[American Thoracic Society (ATS) @atscommunity]

Q9: What should we tell someone who is using e-cigarettes? #ATSchat

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

A8 Some former smokers would say yes, but scientific evidence showing effectiveness is not in. FDA has not approved e-cigs for cessation. Limited trial data suggests they might help, but we lack "real-world" trial data and experience.

#ATSchat

[American Thoracic Society (ATS) @atscommunity]

Q8: Are e-cigarettes effective in helping people quit smoking? #ATSchat

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

A7 Of course vaping nicotine will cause addiction to nicotine. Addition has nothing to do with the delivery device. This is why we worry about youth vaping. #atschat

[American Thoracic Society (ATS) @atscommunity]

Q7: Is vaping addictive? #ATSchat

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

While in Monterrey, I was interviewed by El Norte, the major newspaper in the area. The historical lobby of El Norte's building was a highlight of the trip.

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

This weekend, I was in Monterrey, Mexico at the International Colloquium on Environmental Management and Sustainability. Monterrey is tackling air pollution, but there's still a need for more data to address the problems.

[American Thoracic Society (ATS) @atscommunity]

Questions about vaping? ATS members @crottyalexander, @mneakin, and @Jon_Samet talk about vaping during the #twitterchat on Wednesday, October 30 at 4pm ET. Use #ATSchat to follow.

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

Thank you for having me! #ATSChat

[American Thoracic Society (ATS) @atscommunity]

Thanks for joining the #ATSchat today! Special thanks to @Jon_Samet & @pennmedtobacco.

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

A6b: For nicotine-addicted adults, there are @US_FDA approved treatments including nicotine replacement therapy. #ATSChat

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

Q6: For pediatricians, educate, educate, educate. Parents and their children need to understand that e-cigarettes pose great risk. #ATSChat

[American Thoracic Society (ATS) @atscommunity]

Q6: What should pulmonary physicians who take care of adults tell their patients about smoking and e-cigarettes? What should pediatricians do? #ATSchat

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

@pennmedtobacco @FDATobacco Harmless water vapor, it is not.

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

A5: Above all, we need to protect youth and young adults. Moving towards a national restriction of sales to those 21 and above could help. Toxicity testing for all flavorings is needed. #ATSChat

[American Thoracic Society (ATS) @atscommunity]

Q5: What additional policies would you recommend the FDA implement? #ATSchat

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

@pennmedtobacco @FDATobacco We have surveillance systems, but not tuned to find rapid changes in particular groups. New approaches are needed. #ATSChat

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

A4: This unfortunate and dramatic increase shows that we are not ready to contend with today's marketplace. The new policies need to be implemented with rapid-response capability in mind. #ATSChat

[American Thoracic Society (ATS) @atscommunity]

Q4: Data from CDC 2018 Youth Tobacco Survey showed a 78% increase in high school kids e-cigarette use. Are the @US_FDA announced policies sufficient to address the rapid growth in youth e-cigarette use? #ATSchat

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

A3: Menthol and mint flavored e-cigarettes will remain more tempting than unflavored e-cigarettes. #ATSchat

[American Thoracic Society (ATS) @atscommunity]

Q3: @US_FDA is also proposing to keep flavored e-cigarettes on the market, but limit retails sales to only mint and menthol flavored e-cigarettes. What is the potential impact of these new restrictions? #ATSchat

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

@pennmedtobacco Good question. You are right; there is some menthol in most cigarettes, and not just those with menthol as the characterizing flavor. Probably be best to ban all menthol. #ATSChat

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

@pennmedtobacco Thanks Frank!

[Jon Samet, MD, MS @Jon_Samet]

A2: A positive impact! Menthol eases the irritation from nicotine and smoke generally, and some flavorings may harm the lungs. The proposed rules could make a positive difference.

[American Thoracic Society (ATS) @atscommunity]

Q2: @US_FDA recently announced its intent to propose rules to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. What impact could this flavoring ban on cigarettes & cigars have on youth initiation of tobacco products? #ATSchat