Understanding how different flavors of waterpipe tobacco smoke affect lung cell health
Official title: Identifying correlations between the physico-chemical properties of waterpipe tobacco smoke and its impact on lung cell health, as a function of shisha flavor and smoking topography
Funded at Davidson College · NIH-10652772 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how different flavors of waterpipe tobacco and smoking habits affect lung health, helping people understand the risks of using flavored tobacco compared to regular cigarettes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Davidson College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davidson, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $410,141 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HL168689-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10652772 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who use waterpipes or are considering using flavored tobacco products.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use waterpipes or flavored tobacco products are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the health impacts of waterpipe tobacco smoke, particularly focusing on how various flavors and smoking behaviors influence lung cell health. The study aims to analyze the physical and chemical properties of the smoke produced from different shisha flavors and how these factors contribute to cell damage. By examining the effects of smoking topography, such as puffing patterns, the research seeks to clarify misconceptions about the safety of waterpipe use compared to traditional cigarettes. Patients may benefit from insights into the harmful effects of flavored tobacco products on lung health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better public health guidelines and interventions to reduce the risks associated with waterpipe tobacco use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on electronic cigarette aerosols has shown that flavorings can significantly impact health outcomes, suggesting that this investigation may yield important findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Davidson College
Davidson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hauser, Cindy Deforest — Davidson College
- Study coordinator: Hauser, Cindy Deforest
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Blood-based markers to identify lung cancer risk in never-smokers
A researchers team at NYU School of Medicine is testing blood tests that might flag higher lung cancer risk in people who have never smoked, helping decide who might need screening.
-
Social stress and smoking: why disadvantaged young adults struggle to quit
This grant looks at how daily social stress affects if and when disadvantaged young adults who smoke can quit and stay quit.
-
BSMART: A program to help people with HIV quit smoking
A program in HIV care settings tests a proven plan to help people with HIV quit smoking, using quick counseling and a switch to quitting medications.
-
BSMAT: Helping people with HIV quit smoking through routine support
A HIV care program in Botswana aims to help people living with HIV quit smoking using a proven 5A brief intervention plus support medication.
-
Improving treatment for people with HIV who smoke and drink in Nairobi, Kenya
A study tests a new plan to help people with HIV in Nairobi quit smoking and reduce heavy drinking, using a low-cost medicine and counseling.
-
I-STOP: a mobile health program to help people with HIV quit smoking
A smartphone-based program designed to help people with HIV quit smoking in a sustainable, affordable way.
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.