How local tobacco and cannabis stores affect teen vaping habits
Official title: The Tobacco and Cannabis Retail Environment, Neighborhood Disadvantage, and Adolescent Vaping
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11054674 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how having more tobacco and cannabis shops close to homes and schools affects young people's vaping habits, especially if they live in less advantaged neighborhoods, to help create better policies to reduce vaping among teens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $192,672 |
| NIH project number | 5K01DA058084-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054674 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents who live in areas with high densities of tobacco and cannabis retailers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in areas with significant tobacco and cannabis retail presence may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the number of tobacco and cannabis retailers near homes and schools influences adolescent vaping behaviors. It focuses on understanding the relationship between retailer density and the initiation and dependence on nicotine and cannabis vaping among youth. The study also examines whether living in disadvantaged neighborhoods exacerbates these effects, potentially leading to greater disparities in vaping behaviors. By analyzing these factors, the research aims to inform policies that could reduce youth vaping.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved regulations that reduce adolescent vaping and its associated health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that the availability of tobacco and cannabis products can significantly influence youth usage patterns, suggesting that this study builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harlow, Alyssa Fitzpatrick — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Harlow, Alyssa Fitzpatrick
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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.