Helping public health leaders weigh e-cigarette policy tradeoffs
Developing and evaluating a decision support tool to disseminate tobacco control research and inform policy implementation
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11333032
Building a clear decision tool for state and local public health administrators to balance teen health risks and benefits for adult smokers when making e-cigarette policies.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11333032 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my point of view, researchers are creating an easy-to-read tool that pulls together the best evidence about e-cigarette effects—such as risks to adolescent brain development, benefits for adults trying to quit smoking, costs, and feasibility. They will collect existing studies, work with public health administrators to design how information is shown, and test the tool in real decision settings. The tool is meant to present tradeoffs plainly so officials can compare options and make policies that consider both harms and benefits. The project focuses on making research usable rather than producing new clinical treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The project mainly involves state or local public health administrators and policymakers who make decisions about e-cigarette regulation.
Not a fit: Individual patients seeking direct medical treatment for nicotine addiction or immediate cessation services are unlikely to get direct clinical benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to policies that better protect teens from nicotine addiction while keeping options that help adult smokers quit.
How similar studies have performed: Decision-support tools have helped policy decisions in other public health areas, but applying this approach specifically to e-cigarette policy is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SMITH, NATALIE RIVA — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: SMITH, NATALIE RIVA
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.