Using non-cigarette tobacco products to help smokers who can't quit
Official title: Non-Cigarette Tobacco Products as Harm Reduction Tools in Smokers Who Failed to Quit With Traditional Methods
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-10901898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether switching to non-combustible tobacco products, like e-cigarettes, can help smokers who have tried to quit before but haven't been successful, by giving them a chance to choose a product and set a quit date that works for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $698,642 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA056445-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10901898 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adult smokers over 21 years old who have tried to quit smoking using FDA-approved methods but have not succeeded.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have successfully quit smoking or those who have never smoked may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates whether non-combustible tobacco products, like e-cigarettes, can help smokers who have struggled to quit using traditional methods. The study will involve current smokers who have attempted to quit in the past year but were unsuccessful. Participants will be randomly assigned to either switch to a non-cigarette product or try to quit again with medications. They will choose from a selection of products and set a quit date, allowing for a personalized approach to harm reduction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer alternative for smokers who have failed to quit, potentially improving their health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using non-combustible tobacco products as harm reduction tools, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Tracy Taylor — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Smith, Tracy Taylor
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.