Using scents to help people quit smoking
Official title: An Innovative Digitally-Delivered Olfactory Method for Reducing Cigarette Cravings and Supporting Smoking Cessation
Funded at University of Houston · NIH-10794591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun new way to help people quit smoking by using scents delivered through a smartphone app, which might help reduce cravings and improve mood while they work on quitting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $279,573 |
| NIH project number | 1R34CA286803-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10794591 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over the age of 21 who are actively trying to quit smoking.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not smoke or are not interested in quitting smoking may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new method to help individuals quit smoking by using olfactory stimuli, or scents, delivered through a smartphone app. The approach is based on the idea that intentionally sniffing certain smells can change emotional states and reduce cravings for cigarettes. Participants will engage with a smartphone application that integrates these olfactory cues to support their smoking cessation efforts. The study aims to refine how these scents are administered and evaluate their effectiveness in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel and accessible tool for individuals trying to quit smoking, potentially increasing cessation rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using olfactory stimuli to reduce cravings, suggesting potential for success with this innovative approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garey, Lorra — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Garey, Lorra
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Social stress and smoking: why disadvantaged young adults struggle to quit
This grant looks at how daily social stress affects if and when disadvantaged young adults who smoke can quit and stay quit.
-
I-STOP: a mobile health program to help people with HIV quit smoking
A smartphone-based program designed to help people with HIV quit smoking in a sustainable, affordable way.
-
Smoking cessation help for people with HIV in South Africa
A program is being tested to help people living with HIV in South Africa quit smoking in ways that fit low-resource clinics and show good value.
-
Mobile tools to understand how sleep affects quitting smoking
This project uses a smartphone to track sleep and smoking in lower-income adults trying to quit to find how sleep patterns relate to staying smoke-free.
-
Integrated approach to lung screening and quitting for African Americans
A multi-level program aims to boost LDCT lung cancer screening uptake and help African American smokers quit, with support from a comprehensive community-focused plan.
-
Peer-led smoking-cessation program for public housing residents
A peer-led program with eight group sessions plus nicotine replacement therapy is tested on adults living in public housing to help them quit smoking.
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.