NIH-funded research R21 grant

Nicotine Pouches and Cancer Risk: How Adults Move Between Pouches and Smoking

Official title: Population Assessment of Tobacco Use Transition and Health Effects Associated with Adult Nicotine Pouch Use

Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11287509 · Data updated 2026-11-12

Researchers are studying how adults use nicotine pouches and cigarettes and what this means for cancer risk and quitting behavior.

More Tobacco Use research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Omaha, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2026
Project endJuly 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$179,403
NIH project number1R21CA309618-01
Project IDNIH-11287509 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults 21 years and older who currently use cigarettes and/or nicotine pouches or are considering transitioning between products.

Less likely to help

Individuals not using tobacco or nicotine products or those unlikely to transition between pouches and cigarettes may not benefit.

What this research studies

This project looks at how adults who smoke or might switch to nicotine pouches transition between products and what health effects may arise, especially related to cancer risk. The team will analyze smoking cessation patterns and potential mouth-related health outcomes from pouch use. They will examine factors that influence moving from cigarettes to pouches or returning to smoking, and how these transitions relate to biomarkers and oral health. By focusing on adults 21 and older in the US, the study aims to generate evidence that could guide harm-reduction strategies in real-world settings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform strategies to reduce cancer risk by guiding safer quit alternatives and informing public health recommendations.

How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows mixed results on pouch-to-cigarette transitions; this study aims to add current, population-based insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Nebraska Medical Center
    Omaha, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Dai, Hongying Daisy — University of Nebraska Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Dai, Hongying Daisy

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.