USC Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science Receives $20 Million Federal Grant to Inform Tobacco Regulation Policy

Strategic Insights -

The Keck School of Medicine of USC has announced that the USC Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS) has received a $20 million federal grant to advance research on tobacco regulation policy. Co-directed by Adam Leventhal, PhD, and Caryn Lerman, PhD, the center will focus on understanding the impact of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products on young people, particularly in vulnerable populations. The research aims to inform government regulations to prevent harm to youth and address health disparities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The USC Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS) has received a $20 million grant from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for a 5-year period, from 2023 to 2028.
  • The center's research will focus on the impact of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products on young people, particularly in vulnerable populations, such as adolescents and young adults.
  • Studies will examine how e-cigarettes and oral nicotine products affect young people, including factors such as product types, marketing strategies, and social media influences.
  • Researchers will also investigate the addictiveness of new oral nicotine products among young adults who use e-cigarettes.
  • The center's research has been cited in FDA policy documents 31 times, demonstrating its ability to inform policy and drive change.
  • USC TCORS has a history of providing evidence that guides FDA policy and adapting to new areas of study as the tobacco marketplace evolves.
  • The center's leadership team includes experts from various disciplines, including psychology, communication, and neuroscience, and will involve an extended team of scholars at USC.

Statistics:

  • $20 million: The total grant awarded to the USC Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS).
  • 5 years: The duration of the grant, from 2023 to 2028.
  • $20 million / 5 years: The annual allocation of the grant per year.
  • 31 times: The number of times the center's research has been cited in FDA policy documents.
  • 10 years: The time period over which the tobacco industry has moved at a fast pace, necessitating the center's flexibility and adaptability.

Sources:

  • Keck School of Medicine of USC
  • Federal Register
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science (TCORS)
  • Monitoring the Future Study
  • University of Michigan
  • USC Institute for Addiction Science (IAS)
  • USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center