Real-world impact of a lower nicotine standard on smoking in New Zealand
Official title: Assessing the real-world impact of a low nicotine product standard for smoked tobacco in New Zealand
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11417473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study in adults who smoke daily will follow how reducing nicotine in smoked tobacco changes their use, health, and well-being over several years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $388,651 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058264-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417473 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ who smoke daily or nearly daily and are willing to participate in long-term follow-up.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who do not smoke or do not participate in follow-up assessments may not benefit from the findings.
What this research studies
This study will enroll about 1,500 adults who smoke daily or almost daily and track them for 3.5 years. It uses online surveys, biological exposure markers, physiological tests, interviews, and medical records to understand how a nicotine-reduced standard affects smoking behavior and health. By following participants before and after the potential policy change, researchers aim to capture real-world effects beyond prior clinical trials. The mix of quantitative data and in-depth interviews will highlight both trends and personal experiences with VLNC cigarettes. The goal is to provide evidence to inform regulatory decisions and public health practice.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could clarify how nicotine reduction policies impact smoking behavior and health in real-world settings, guiding safer regulation.
How similar studies have gone: Prior trials suggested benefits of reduced nicotine, but real-world, long-term effects remain less certain; this study aims to extend that evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Denlinger-Apte, Rachel — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Denlinger-Apte, Rachel
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.