Using electronic cigarettes to help people with opioid use disorder reduce smoking
Official title: Electronic Cigarettes as a Harm Reduction Strategy Among People with Opioid Use Disorder on Buprenorphine
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11113411 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how electronic cigarettes might help people with opioid use disorder, who are being treated with buprenorphine, to cut down on regular cigarette smoking, and it aims to create helpful guidelines for using e-cigarettes in clinics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $176,754 |
| NIH project number | 1K01DA062708-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11113411 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are currently undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder with buprenorphine and are also smokers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not smoke or are not undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how electronic cigarettes can serve as a harm reduction tool for individuals with opioid use disorder who are being treated with buprenorphine. The project aims to develop and implement effective protocols for using electronic cigarettes in clinical settings to help reduce the reliance on combustible cigarettes. The research will involve a multidisciplinary mentorship team and will utilize various methods, including qualitative and quantitative assessments, to evaluate the impact of electronic cigarettes on smoking behaviors among this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer alternative for individuals with opioid use disorder to reduce their smoking habits and improve their overall health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that electronic cigarettes can help reduce smoking rates in the general population, suggesting potential for similar success in this specific group.
Where this research is happening
-
Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pericot-Valverde, Irene — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Pericot-Valverde, Irene
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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.