Clearing up false messages about the FDA's menthol and flavored cigar ban for African American communities
The Unvarnished Truth: Pursuing Health Equity by Correcting Disinformation Targeting African Americans about the FDA's Proposed Ban on Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11289388
Researchers will use clear, community‑designed messages to fight misleading claims about the FDA's proposed menthol and flavored cigar ban among African American adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11289388 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you live in an African American community, this project works with local leaders and an expert advisory board to design messages that correct false claims about the FDA's proposed flavor ban. The team will gather community feedback through interviews, focus groups, and surveys to learn what kinds of rumors and fears are spreading. They will then create multi-level anti-disinformation messages and pilot them in the community to see how people respond. The work is guided by community members at every step so the messages feel relevant and trustworthy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are African American adults (age 21+) and community members in affected neighborhoods, especially people who smoke menthol cigarettes or flavored cigars or who are exposed to related messaging.
Not a fit: People under 21, those outside the targeted communities, or those not exposed to menthol/flavored cigar messaging are unlikely to see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reduce misleading beliefs about the ban, improve understanding of what the FDA will and will not do, and help protect communities from tobacco-related harms driven by misinformation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous community-led counter-messaging and public health campaigns have reduced tobacco misinformation in some settings, but focused work on menthol-specific disinformation in African American communities is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- 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 below.