Evaluating new tobacco products for safety and appeal
Official title: Product Evaluation and Manipulation Core (PEMC)
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-10929388 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different types of nicotine in tobacco products affect how much people like them, how addictive they are, and how harmful they can be, with the goal of finding safer options for current smokers and making sure new products aren't attractive to young people or non-smokers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 14, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $505,530 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA287392-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10929388 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include current smokers or users of smokeless tobacco products who are seeking safer alternatives.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never used tobacco products or are not interested in tobacco harm reduction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how different characteristics of nicotine in tobacco products, such as concentration and form, influence their appeal, addictiveness, and toxicity. By conducting human research and pilot studies, the project aims to fill existing data gaps regarding these products, especially concerning their potential for harm reduction among current smokers. The findings will help inform regulatory policies to ensure that new tobacco products are less appealing to youth and non-smokers while providing safer alternatives for established users.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer tobacco products that reduce health risks for current smokers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in evaluating tobacco products for harm reduction, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El Hellani, Ahmad — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: El Hellani, Ahmad
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.