CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has received a $7,775,780 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the impact of tobacco regulations and public health campaigns on marginalized communities.
The research, funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, aims to address disparities in tobacco use, particularly among Black individuals, lower-income populations, and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) communities. The project, titled “Advancing Tobacco Regulatory Science to Reduce Health Disparities,” will examine the effects of flavored tobacco products and e-cigarettes on these groups.
According to the grant description, the initiative consists of four research projects designed to assess how regulations and communication strategies influence tobacco use behaviors in disadvantaged populations. The findings are expected to guide future policies by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and NIH.
Despite nationwide declines in cigarette smoking, the use of menthol-flavored and non-cigarette tobacco products remains disproportionately high among certain demographics. Researchers hope the study will contribute to more effective public health interventions.
The project is set to continue through August 31, 2028, as UNC-Chapel Hill researchers work to inform regulatory approaches aimed at reducing tobacco-related health disparities.