Using e-cigarettes to help people with opioid use disorder who smoke cigarettes
Official title: Switching Individuals in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Who Smoke Cigarettes to the SREC
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10843176 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether using a special e-cigarette instead of regular cigarettes can help people who are getting treatment for opioid use and aren't ready to quit smoking yet, by seeing how it affects their smoking habits and health over three years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $196,511 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DA056583-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10843176 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are receiving medication treatment for opioid use disorder and currently smoke cigarettes but are not ready to quit.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not smoke or those who are already committed to quitting smoking may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates whether substituting traditional cigarettes with a standardized research e-cigarette can help individuals receiving medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) who are not ready to quit smoking. The study will conduct a pilot trial to assess how this substitution affects tobacco use behavior, dependence, and exposure to harmful substances. Participants will be monitored for changes in their smoking habits and health markers over a three-year period. The goal is to determine if e-cigarettes can serve as a harm reduction strategy for this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer alternative for individuals with opioid use disorder who smoke, potentially reducing their tobacco use and improving their overall health.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of e-cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy is gaining attention, this specific approach in the context of opioid use disorder is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Streck, Joanna — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Streck, Joanna
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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.