How tobacco risk messages affect smokers and young people
From Perceptions to Behaviors: A Comprehensive Approach to Examine the Impact of Public Health Communication Messaging about the Continuum of Risk for Tobacco Products
Testing whether clearer messages about the relative risks of different tobacco products help adults who smoke make safer choices and keep young people from starting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171705 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would see and hear different public health messages that explain how some tobacco products compare in risk, and researchers will track how those messages land with you. The team will measure immediate reactions, how believable or persuasive the messages feel, and whether those reactions change intentions or actual use over time. The project combines surveys, message-exposure sessions, and follow-up checks to link what people think with later behavior. Findings will be used to shape clearer communications aimed at reducing harm for adults who smoke and preventing youth initiation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who currently smoke combustible tobacco and young people or young adults at risk of starting tobacco use.
Not a fit: People who do not use tobacco, who are not exposed to public messaging, or who are already engaged in clinical cessation programs relying primarily on medications may not directly benefit from the messaging-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could create clearer public messages that help adult smokers reduce harm and stop youth from beginning tobacco use.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research typically exposed people to single messages and showed short-term shifts in beliefs, but long-term effects on behavior are limited, so this broader, longer approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moran, Meghan Bridgid — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Moran, Meghan Bridgid
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.