Understanding how to effectively communicate the dangers of vaping to young adults
Official title: Identifying and examining the effects of source and presentation on responses to electronic cigarette public education messages in young adult vapers and non-vapers
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11004635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different ways of sharing information about the health risks of vaping can change the way young adults, ages 18-24, think and act about vaping, especially by comparing messages from trusted experts and friends.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $137,562 |
| NIH project number | 5K99CA281094-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11004635 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include young adults aged 18-24 who currently vape or do not vape but are at risk of starting.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are outside the age range of 18-24 or those who have no interest in vaping or vaping cessation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different sources and ways of presenting information about the health risks of vaping can influence young adults' attitudes and behaviors. It focuses on young adults aged 18-24, examining the effectiveness of messages delivered by trusted experts versus peers, and whether one-sided or two-sided messages are more impactful. The study employs a combination of self-report surveys and psychophysiological measures, such as eye-tracking and heart rate monitoring, to assess how these factors affect message acceptance and behavioral intentions regarding vaping. The goal is to develop effective public health communication strategies to reduce vaping among young adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective public health campaigns that significantly reduce vaping rates among young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that tailored communication strategies can effectively influence health behaviors, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Donghee Nicole — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Lee, Donghee Nicole
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.