How tobacco marketing affects young adults in Appalachian Kentucky
Official title: 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
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11163566 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $565,281 |
| NIH project number | 5U54DA058256-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11163566 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21 or those who live outside the Appalachian region are unlikely to be eligible or directly affected by this project.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rose, Shyanika W — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Rose, Shyanika W
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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.