Comparing nicotine pouches to cigarettes for better health.
Official title: A randomized comparative effectiveness trial of nicotine pouches for cigarette substitution: A question of public health
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10940080 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well nicotine pouches can help daily smokers switch from regular cigarettes to a safer option, and it's for smokers who aren't ready to quit just yet.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $773,359 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA291761-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10940080 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 and older who smoke cigarettes daily and are not planning to quit in the immediate future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not smoke or are already using nicotine pouches or other cessation methods may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how effectively nicotine pouches can help smokers switch from traditional cigarettes to a less harmful alternative. By enrolling 284 daily smokers who are not planning to quit soon, the study will randomly assign participants to receive different doses of nicotine pouches or mini-lozenges. The goal is to understand how well these products can substitute for cigarettes and what factors influence this transition. Participants will be monitored to assess their experiences and outcomes during the trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer alternative for smokers, potentially reducing health risks associated with cigarette smoking.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using alternative nicotine products for smoking cessation, suggesting this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Piper, Megan E — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Piper, Megan E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
BRAVE Innovation Center for Viral Resistance in Chickens
A center at UW–Madison aims to create chickens genetically resistant to avian viruses like H5N1 by identifying host genes involved in virus replication using genome-wide CRISPR screening.
-
Center to Fight Vector-Borne Diseases in the Midwest
A Midwest program brings researchers, public health teams, and vector-control groups together to prevent diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes.
-
Globally useful predictor for cervical cancer treatment response
This project aims to develop a simple predictive signature to personalize treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer using easy tests and imaging.
-
Neutrophil development with stem cells to understand their behavior
Researchers are studying how neutrophils, a type of immune cell, develop from stem cells to better understand why they can help or harm in infections and inflammatory diseases.
-
WREN: Expanding Research Capacity in Rural Primary Care Clinics
A nationwide network in Wisconsin will strengthen rural primary care clinics to participate in real-world research and bring more clinical trials to communities.
-
Targeting early oral GVHD to improve mouth health after stem cell transplant
A study at UW–Madison will explore why some transplant patients develop painful oral GVHD and test ideas to prevent and lessen mouth-related problems.
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.