How tobacco marketing affects young adults in Appalachian Kentucky

AppalTRuST Project 2: Exposure to tobacco marketing for novel tobacco products and associations with future tobacco use in Appalachian young adults: tobacco regulatory science implications

NIH-funded research University of Kentucky · NIH-11163566

This project looks at whether seeing ads for new and flavored tobacco products influences tobacco use and attitudes among young adults in rural Appalachian communities.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Kentucky NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lexington, United States)
Project IDNIH-11163566 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, you'll be followed as a young adult (21+) living in Appalachian Kentucky for several years. You'll fill out surveys about how often you see tobacco ads, what you think about cigarettes, menthol, flavored cigars, and new non-combustible products, and whether you use them. The researchers will also check local stores and marketing to see how tobacco is being sold and promoted in your community. The goal is to use this information to shape FDA policies (like flavor or nicotine rules) that could reduce tobacco use in rural areas.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Young adults aged 21 and older who live in Appalachian Kentucky, including current smokers, users of e-cigarettes or other novel tobacco products, and people at risk of starting tobacco use.

Not a fit: People under 21 or those who live outside the Appalachian region are unlikely to be eligible or directly affected by this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide FDA rules that reduce tobacco advertising and product appeal, helping more Appalachian young adults avoid starting or quit using tobacco.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown tobacco marketing increases initiation and use, but applying this approach to novel products and Appalachian young adults is a newer focus.

Where this research is happening

Lexington, 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.