Team IMPACT's Ongoing Studies

We have a variety of ongoing studies that explore many aspects of tobacco use, vaping and smoking cessation. Participating in a study will help contribute to a better understanding of smoking habits and improved treatment options in the future. You don't have to want to quit or even be a smoker to participate in some of our studies. Learn more about our studies below.

Alternative Tobacco Products

A hand rejects another hand holding an open pack of cigarettes

K01

PI: Dr. Tracy Smith

This trial investigates the impact of different e-cigarette device characteristics on reinforcement value, e-cigarette uptake, and downstream effects on cigarette smoking. Smokers (N=180) are recruited locally and will receive an e-cigarette and e-liquid for 3 weeks.

The e-cigarette will either have a higher or lower device wattage, and the e-liquid will either have a higher or lower nicotine concentration. Participants sample the product in the lab and then take it home for 3 weeks to use as they wish. Participants return to the lab weekly to receive more e-liquids. There is no requirement to quit or change smoking.

E-Cigarette Study Eligibility Screening

ESCAPE

PI: Dr. Tracy Smith

ESCAPE (Evaluating the Success of flavored e-Cigarettes for Achieving Prolonged smoking abstinencE) is co-led by Dr. Smith and Dr. Theodore Wagener at Ohio State University. ESCAPE is a NIDA and FDA-funded nationwide clinical trial which will investigate the impact of e-cigarette flavoring on switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes among current cigarette smokers.

People who currently smoke cigarettes (N=1500) will be recruited nationally and will receive 12 weeks of e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement therapy. Participants will try to switch completely to their assigned product and will complete regular remote data assessments. Come back later in 2023 for a link to the study screening survey.

Switch or Quit

PI: Dr. Tracy Smith

logo that says switch or quit with the Q forming a no smoking sign

Switch or Quit investigates the potential for e-cigarettes to reduce the harms from tobacco among people who have tried to quit with FDA-approved pharmacotherapy and were unable to do so. People who currently smoke cigarettes (N=225) will be recruited statewide and receive either 9 weeks of e-cigarette product or 9 weeks of FDA approved medication.

People who receive medication will choose between nicotine replacement therapy and varenicline. Participants will set a date on which they plan to stop smoking completely and use their assigned products instead. Participants will complete regular phone calls and daily diaries throughout the study. Come back later in 2023 for a link to the study screening survey.

Cigarette Regulation

a no smoking sign sits on a table with coffee cups in the background

MINT

PI: Dr. Tracy Smith

logo that says MINT menthol's impact on nicotine & tobacco use with 2 leaves sprouting out of the top of the I

MINT (Menthol’s Impact on Nicotine and Tobacco use) is a NIDA and FDA-funded R01 to examine the impact of menthol regulation in cigarettes and e-cigarettes among people who currently smoke menthol cigarettes. People who currently smoke menthol cigarettes in Charleston, Florence, and Lancaster, SC will receive either menthol or non-menthol cigarettes and menthol or tobacco flavored e-cigarettes for six weeks.

During the trial, participants will be asked to only use cigarettes and e-cigarettes provided to them by the study, although there is no requirement to use either product. Participants will try to stop using cigarettes during the seventh week.

MINT Study Eligibility Screening

Smoking Cessation

packs and pieces of nicotine gum with three cigarettes

STARS

PI: Dr. Matthew Carpenter

STARS (Smoking Treatment and Remote Sampling) is an NCI-funded R01 that examines the impact of varenicline vs. NRT vs. no medication sampling. Study participants (N=640) are adult smokers across South Carolina who do and do not want to quit. Participants are given a month supply of medication (or not) and are prospectively followed for six months to evaluate outcomes.

STARS Study Eligibility Screening

ADAPT

PIs: Drs. Tracy Smith and Matthew Carpenter

logo that says ADAPT adaptive diretions after pharmacotherapy treatment with arrows pointing in multiple directions

ADAPT (Adaptive Directions after Pharmacotherapy Treatment) is a newly funded trial from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). It will examine different options for treatment. All smokers will be given an FDA-approved medication to help them quit.

Depending on early response to treatment, they will either get more of this same medication, another medication, or a harm-reduction product (e-cigarette). The study will recruit 544 adult smokers across South Carolina and Alabama. As a newly funded study, we’re still refining all study procedures. Come back later in 2024 for a link to study screening.