Addressing false information about the FDA's proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars in African American communities
Official title: The Unvarnished Truth: Pursuing Health Equity by Correcting Disinformation Targeting African Americans about the FDA's Proposed Ban on Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11023115 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to clear up confusion about the FDA's plan to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, especially in African American communities, by listening to local voices and creating messages that help people understand the truth about tobacco products.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $642,161 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD018728-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11023115 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include African American adults who use or are affected by menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use tobacco products or are not part of the African American community may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to tackle the spread of misinformation regarding the FDA's proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, particularly within African American communities. By employing community-based participatory research methods, the project will engage an Expert Advisory Board to ensure that the perspectives of the community are included in the development of anti-disinformation messages. The study will also conduct formative research to understand the rhetoric used by the tobacco industry and its impact on community beliefs and behaviors. Ultimately, the goal is to create effective communication strategies that can help mitigate the harmful effects of this misinformation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower African American communities with accurate information, potentially reducing tobacco-related health disparities.
How similar studies have gone: While addressing misinformation in public health is a growing field, this specific approach targeting disinformation about tobacco products in African American communities is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sterling, Kymberle L — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Sterling, Kymberle L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.