How menthol in cigarettes affects whether adult menthol smokers switch to e-cigarettes
The Impact of Menthol Flavoring on Switching in Adult Menthol Smokers
This project looks at whether menthol flavoring affects adult menthol smokers' decisions to switch from cigarettes to e-cigarettes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11303465 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As an adult menthol smoker, you may be asked to join a program that tracks your cigarette and e-cigarette use over time. Researchers will collect surveys, follow-up data, and some randomized clinical comparisons to see if menthol flavoring changes people's likelihood to switch to e-cigarettes under different policy scenarios. The team will pay special attention to communities with high menthol use, especially Black smokers who face disproportionate impacts, to understand possible unintended consequences of flavor bans. Visits may include brief health checks, interviews about tobacco use, and information about quitting resources.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults aged 21 or older who currently smoke menthol cigarettes and are willing to be followed over time.
Not a fit: People who do not smoke menthol cigarettes, are under 21, or who are not considering switching or quitting are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform policies that help more menthol smokers switch to less harmful alternatives and reduce tobacco-related health disparities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows e-cigarette use can help some smokers reduce exposure to cigarette toxicants, but the specific effects of menthol flavoring on switching and on Black communities remain under-studied.
Where this research is happening
Kansas City, United States
- University of Kansas Medical Center — Kansas City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nollen, Nicole L — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Nollen, Nicole L
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.