Understanding how cigarette and cigar products are judged when they’re new to the market
Official title: Assessing the impact of the substantial equivalence mechanism on the cigarette and cigar markets
Funded at Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp · NIH-11415666 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how the law decides if a new cigarette or cigar product is allowed, and what that means for people who smoke or might start smoking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Buffalo, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $822,602 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA298812-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415666 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older who use tobacco products or are affected by tobacco marketing (cigarettes or cigars).
✕Less likely to help
Non-smokers or individuals under 21 would not be directly helped by this regulatory-focused research.
What this research studies
Researchers will map how the substantial equivalence process works for cigarettes and cigars and examine how market differences between products might affect what people experience when using them. The project analyzes regulatory decisions and consumer perceptions to understand if new products differ in design or how they are used, and whether these changes could influence public health. By focusing on adult smokers or potential product users, the work aims to illuminate whether SE determinations align with real-world consumer experience. The findings could inform policymakers, health advocates, and clinicians about gaps between regulation and consumer impact.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could clarify how regulatory rules affect the tobacco market and consumer behavior, guiding better protections for public health.
How similar studies have gone: Prior regulatory science work has highlighted gaps between regulation and consumer experience, with mixed clarity on market impact, making this area both important and somewhat novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
Buffalo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connor, Richard J — Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
- Study coordinator: O'connor, Richard J
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.