Tobacco, Vaping, and Emerging Nicotine Products

New products - Unknown Risks | Evidence-based health risk assessment and tobacco regulatory science

The rapid evolution and increasing use of electronic cigarettes (ECIGs), heated tobacco products (HTPs), oral nicotine products, and emerging nicotine formulations, particularly among adolescents and young adults, present growing public health and regulatory challenges. In Arkansas and the United States, our developing tobacco regulatory science program brings together I³R with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)–Tobacco Control, pulmonary expertise at UAMS/Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI), behavioral and tobacco regulatory scientists at UAMS, and global public-health expertise at Yale University. Recently supported through an I³R Watershed Grant, our research integrates chemical characterization of products and emissions at the time of consumption with human bronchial and alveolar air-liquid-interface models to investigate molecular toxicity, exposure-response relationships, and potential health risks. This experimental work builds on our previous clinical and population studies of ECIG users and is aimed at generating human-relevant evidence to support risk assessment, prevention, and regulatory decision-making.

Complementing this research, we are developing a student-led, evidence-based ambassador program targeting ECIG and nicotine-pouch use. The initiative is designed as a science-driven, scalable prevention model that empowers students to engage their peers, schools, families, and communities in preventing nicotine initiation and addiction. By linking research, education, youth leadership, community engagement, and prevention, the program aims to improve adolescent and intergenerational health while contributing to Arkansas's broader rural-health transformation priorities.