Understanding how the tobacco industry affects health differences

Addressing disparities in tobacco-related diseases by understanding the tobacco industry strategies

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11159715

This project aims to understand how the tobacco industry targets certain communities, leading to more tobacco-related diseases and deaths, especially from cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11159715 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many people suffer from tobacco-related illnesses, including cancer, but these problems affect some groups more than others, like racial minorities, those with lower incomes, and less education. We believe the tobacco industry plays a big role in these health differences by specifically targeting these communities and shaping policies that encourage tobacco use. This project will look closely at how the industry operates, especially as new products like e-cigarettes and cannabis products become available, to help create better policies that protect everyone's health. Our goal is to reduce the unfair burden of tobacco-related diseases.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant to individuals and communities disproportionately affected by tobacco-related diseases and cancers, particularly racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation minorities, and those with lower socioeconomic status.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use tobacco or are not part of the communities facing these specific disparities may not directly benefit from this particular research focus.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new policies and public health strategies that reduce tobacco use and related cancers, especially in communities most affected by health disparities.

How similar studies have performed: While the tobacco industry's influence is well-documented, this project offers a novel approach by specifically examining how evolving industry strategies exacerbate existing disparities and expand into new product categories like cannabis.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Cancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.