Helping rural smokers quit by providing free nicotine replacement therapy

Evaluating Population-Based Strategies for Rural Smoking Cessation

NIH-funded research University of Minnesota · NIH-11091729

This study is looking to help people in rural areas quit smoking by giving them free starter kits for nicotine replacement therapy and teaching them how to use it, all through online resources, so they can get the support they need even if they don’t often visit doctors.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Minnesota NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11091729 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to address the high rates of smoking among people living in rural areas by providing them with free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) starter kits along with education on their use. The study will evaluate how effective this approach is in helping rural smokers quit, especially since they often have limited access to healthcare services. By utilizing digital platforms for education, the research seeks to reach those who may not regularly visit healthcare providers. The goal is to create a sustainable model that local health departments and organizations can adopt to improve smoking cessation rates in these communities.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in rural areas who smoke and have limited access to smoking cessation resources.

Not a fit: Patients who do not smoke or those who have access to comprehensive smoking cessation programs may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase smoking cessation rates among rural populations, leading to improved health outcomes and reduced smoking-related deaths.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in providing free NRT starter kits, but this approach's effectiveness in rural settings remains to be fully evaluated.

Where this research is happening

Minneapolis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.