Hawaii Cancer Researcher Receives $2.8M to Prevent E-Cigarette Use

Aug.25.2022
Hawaii Cancer Researcher Receives $2.8M to Prevent E-Cigarette Use
Hawaii researcher receives $2.8 million to create and test e-cigarette prevention plan for rural youth, especially indigenous and Pacific islanders.

A researcher from the Cancer Center at the University of Hawaii has been awarded a $2.8 million grant to develop and test an e-cigarette prevention program for rural youth in the state, with a focus on Hawaiian natives and other Pacific Islanders who have been particularly affected.


Previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 18% of middle school students in the state used electronic cigarette products, the highest among the 14 states that collected relevant data. On Wednesday, the university stated that the figure for young indigenous and Pacific Islander people on the island had risen to 30%.


Scott Okamoto, recipient of a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, will develop a school-based and culturally grounded program to prevent the use of electronic cigarettes. The program will build upon the existing drug prevention course called Ho'ouna Pono.


The so-called electronic cigarette intervention will include social and print media activities in middle schools and charter schools on the Big Island. According to a press release, more than 500 students are expected to participate in this study over the next five years. "As far as we know, this is the first study to develop and test an electronic cigarette prevention intervention specifically for rural youth in Hawaii," said Okamoto. "Our proposed intervention will educate young people on the risks of using electronic cigarettes, while also reflecting the cultural and relational values of rural Hawaiian youth and communities.


The impact of e-cigarettes on young people is related to health issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and increased risk of lung cancer. A press release states, "Research has also found that the likelihood of being diagnosed with Covid-19 is five times higher among former e-cigarette users.


Statement


This article has been compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry exchange and learning purposes.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the content. The compilation of this article is only intended for industry communication and research.


Due to limitations in our ability to translate, the compiled article may not accurately reflect the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains full compliance with the Chinese government regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or foreign-related statements or positions.


The compilation of information is owned by the original media outlet and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us to request removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

FDA Unifies Tobacco Registration and Product Listing Form Across Product Categories
FDA Unifies Tobacco Registration and Product Listing Form Across Product Categories
The U.S. FDA has consolidated two tobacco establishment registration and product listing forms into a redesigned Form FDA 3741 covering all regulated product categories, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches. The current requirements remain limited to domestic establishments. Separately, the FDA has proposed extending registration and product listing requirements to foreign manufacturers, signaling greater regulatory attention to manufacturing entities and product-level information across the tobacco and nicotine supply chain.
FDA
Sep.30
Former Roche Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Communications Director Ria Kioupritzi Joins PMI as Scientific Affairs Director
Former Roche Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Communications Director Ria Kioupritzi Joins PMI as Scientific Affairs Director
Eleftheria (Ria) Kioupritzi, a biopharmaceutical professional with more than 15 years of experience, has joined Philip Morris International as Director Scientific Affairs within Corporate Affairs. She previously served at Roche as Senior Scientific Communications Director for Neuroscience and Rare Diseases and worked extensively in spinal muscular atrophy. Her earlier career also covered competitive intelligence, clinical and regulatory monitoring, pipeline development and launch preparation. During her time working in Roche's SMA field, Evrysdi passed through several U.S. FDA milestones, including its initial approval, an expanded indication for younger infants and approval of a tablet formulation. Public records do not show that Kioupritzi herself led the FDA submissions.
Sep.22
Swedish-Founded Nicotine Pouch Retailer GotPouches Shifts to U.S.-Based Operations, Reaching Over 25 States
Swedish-Founded Nicotine Pouch Retailer GotPouches Shifts to U.S.-Based Operations, Reaching Over 25 States
Swedish-founded online nicotine pouch retailer GotPouches has completed the localization of its U.S. operations under UpNorth Retail LLC, with corporate operations in Franklin, Tennessee, domestic fulfillment from Nashville and U.S.-based customer support. The company says its catalog covers more than 20 nicotine pouch brands and it currently serves customers in more than 25 U.S. states.
Sep.18
IKE Tech Launches IKE 2.0 Compliance Platform for Nicotine Products
IKE Tech Launches IKE 2.0 Compliance Platform for Nicotine Products
IKE Tech launched IKE 2.0 on September 28, initially targeting nicotine products with a platform that combines user identity verification, product authentication, configurable policy controls and data analytics. Products can be authenticated through direct device integration or NFC smart tags. IKE Tech was formed with participation from Ispire's Aspire North America, Berify and Chemular, with Ispire currently holding a 40% interest. Its age-verification component PMTA was accepted by the FDA in 2025 and remains under review. The company did not disclose customer names, commercial deployment volumes, pricing or revenue tied to IKE 2.0.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
PMI Pushes Smoke-Free Business in Latin America as Argentina Lifts Heated Tobacco Ban, Mexico City Share Tops 7%
PMI Pushes Smoke-Free Business in Latin America as Argentina Lifts Heated Tobacco Ban, Mexico City Share Tops 7%
Philip Morris International (PMI) showcased IQOS heated tobacco systems and nicotine pouch products at Technovation 2026 in Buenos Aires on October 7–8, presenting research on consumer attitudes, regulatory developments and illicit cigarette trade across Latin America. PMI Chief Global Growth Officer Stefano Volpetti said smoke-free products accounted for more than 7% of the Mexico City market. Argentina repealed its heated tobacco ban in May 2026 and introduced registration requirements for tobacco and nicotine products, while local media reported nicotine pouch sales in Mendoza. A PMI-commissioned survey found that only 8% of respondents across four Latin American countries were familiar with nicotine pouches. A separate KPMG study estimated illicit cigarette consumption at 77 billion sticks across 11 markets in Latin America and Canada in 2025.
PMI
Oct.13
Product | Japan Tobacco Expands Nordic Spirit Nicotine Pouch Range to Eight SKUs in Japan, Launches Melon Variant and Broadens Mint Retail Distribution
Product | Japan Tobacco Expands Nordic Spirit Nicotine Pouch Range to Eight SKUs in Japan, Launches Melon Variant and Broadens Mint Retail Distribution
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) launched Nordic Spirit Rich Melon Medium through selected tobacco retailers in Japan on November 2, 2026, while expanding physical retail distribution for three existing mint products previously sold through the CLUB JT online store. The melon launch brings Nordic Spirit's Japanese portfolio to eight SKUs. All four products are manufactured in Sweden, contain a standard 14 pouches per can and retail for ¥500 including tax. Since introducing Nordic Spirit in Japan in March, JT has expanded the brand's product lineup and distribution through its online store, convenience stores and selected tobacco retailers.
product
Nov.04