Understanding a New Heated Tobacco Product (IQOS) as a Way to Replace Menthol Cigarettes
The Abuse Liability of a Novel Heated Tobacco Product (IQOS) and Its Feasibility as a Menthol Cigarette Substitute.
This project looks at whether a heated tobacco product called IQOS could help adult menthol cigarette smokers switch away from traditional cigarettes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11109535 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We want to understand if a proposed ban on menthol cigarettes would encourage smokers to switch to less harmful options like heated tobacco products (HTPs). This project focuses on IQOS, an HTP authorized by the FDA, to see if its different flavors can help adult menthol smokers reduce their cigarette use. We will compare how addictive IQOS is compared to menthol cigarettes by looking at nicotine levels in the blood and how people use the products. This information will help determine if IQOS can truly serve as a substitute for menthol cigarettes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this work are adult menthol cigarette smokers who are at least 21 years old.
Not a fit: Individuals who do not smoke menthol cigarettes or are not interested in switching to heated tobacco products would not directly benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help menthol cigarette smokers find a potentially less harmful alternative, contributing to better public health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Validated clinical laboratory methods exist for comparing tobacco product abuse liability, and naturalistic assessments can confirm these findings.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: White, Augustus Michael — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: White, Augustus Michael
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.