Investigating how different tobacco products affect toxicity and addiction
Official title: Penn State TCORS: Tobacco Product Composition Effects on Toxicity and Addiction
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11087192 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different tobacco products, like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, affect our health and addiction, so that the FDA can create better rules to help reduce the harm they cause.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $93,422 |
| NIH project number | 3U54DA058271-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11087192 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who currently use tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes or cigars.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use tobacco products or have never been exposed to tobacco may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to provide a scientific foundation for the FDA to implement regulations that reduce the harm caused by tobacco products. It involves a collaboration of experienced scientists who will conduct basic and translational research on the toxicity and addiction potential of various tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The study will focus on understanding the biological effects of oxidants found in tobacco smoke and aerosols, and how product design influences these effects. By developing new research methods, the findings could inform future tobacco regulations and harm reduction strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer tobacco products and reduced health risks for users.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of tobacco product design on addiction and toxicity, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muscat, Joshua E — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Muscat, Joshua E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Reducing Addiction Risk in High Schools Through Better Prevention Infrastructure
Aims to build a sustainable, school-based system to prevent opioid and other drug use among high school students, especially those at higher risk.
-
HEAL Data Platform to share addiction-related data across programs
A platform project to make HEAL data from many programs easier to find and use, helping researchers and clinicians access information about addiction in children and youth.
-
Cognitively-enhanced tDCS to reduce cocaine craving
A study to test whether real brain stimulation together with learning strategies can lessen craving in people with cocaine use disorder.
-
Yale center researching how tobacco products affect use and addiction in people
A Yale research center is studying how nicotine, flavor additives, and other ingredients in tobacco products influence people’s likelihood of starting and becoming addicted.
-
Atherosclerosis in cocaine addiction: imaging risk with PET/MR
This project uses PET/MR imaging to look for early artery disease in people with cocaine use disorder to help prevent strokes or other brain injuries.
-
Integrating long-acting PrEP into street medicine for people who use drugs
This project tests whether a long-acting HIV prevention shot (lenacapavir) can be feasibly and acceptably offered by street-based health teams to people who use drugs.
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.