Investigating the impact of 'natural' labels on cigar packaging
Official title: Prevalence and Effects of “Natural” Descriptors on Cigar Packaging
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11083939 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how words like "natural" on cigar packages might make young adults and African Americans think cigars are safer than they really are, and it hopes to help the FDA understand how these labels affect people's choices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $784,581 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA292455-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11083939 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include young adults and African Americans who use or are considering using cigars.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use cigars or are not part of the targeted demographic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how the use of 'natural' descriptors on cigar packaging affects consumer perceptions and behaviors, particularly among young adults and African American populations. By analyzing sales data and conducting experiments, the study aims to understand whether these descriptors mislead consumers into believing that cigars are less harmful. The findings could provide critical insights for regulatory actions by the FDA regarding cigar marketing practices. The research will also explore the prevalence and growth of these descriptors in the market.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more informed regulations that protect consumers from misleading marketing practices related to cigars.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on cigarette marketing has shown that misleading descriptors can significantly affect consumer behavior, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wackowski, Olivia — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Wackowski, Olivia
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.