Contact:

Mirjana V. Djordjevic, Ph.D.
Tobacco Control Research Branch
Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences
National Cancer Institute
Tel.: (301) 496-8584
Email: Djordjev@mail.nih.gov

Objective of Project:

The purpose of this PAR initiative is to solicit multidisciplinary research that address knowledge gaps about new potential reduced-exposure tobacco products, both smoked and smokeless, through the interplay of basic, behavioral, and biological research, surveillance and epidemiology. These products are being designed, manufactured, marketed, and promoted by the tobacco industry as "safer" and/or potential smoking cessation tools because they purportedly deliver lower amounts of toxic, carcinogenic, and/or addictive agents to the user compared with conventional brands. However, to date, there is insufficient science-based evidence to support the notion that tobacco products advertised with implied harm-reduction claims will actually reduce the tobacco-related disease. Multidisciplinary research is needed to build a science base to inform personal, scientific, and public health decisions regarding new tobacco products as well as to guide policy towards and regulation of these products. Applications submitted through this initiative will use either the R01 or R21 mechanism and must be focused on answering the key question: "Do new potential reduced-exposure tobacco products truly provide a less-harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes?"

Description of Project:

There are many questions that need to be addressed regarding new potential reduced-exposure tobacco products. Some of the most urgent include: 1) Assess behavioral factors and conditions of use of new products; 2) Measure the user's exposure to emissions of specific constituents and how exposure is moderated by behavior; 3) Examine compensatory smoking behavior and its impact on exposure and harm-reduction approaches; 4) Develop and validate biomarkers and predictors of reduced toxin exposure and health-related endpoints in vitro, in animals, and humans, taking into account the multitude of toxic constituents and their interactions; 5) Estimate how reductions in tobacco toxin exposure may modify health effects; 6) Explore multiple to reduce toxin exposure and harm from nicotine-delivery devices, ranging from product development to policy; 7) Develop comprehensive surveillance systems that will both short- and long-term assessments monitor marketing, patterns of use, and health consequences of new potential reduced-exposure tobacco products; 8) Examine the impact of messages and marketing of new potential reduced-exposure tobacco products on consumers' and healthcare providers' attitudes, knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs; and Explore ways to communicate information that public health benefit; 9) Consider the regulatory framework and requirements that are necessary to oversee and monitor new products.