Putting Science Behind Regulation, Prevention and Cessation
Ohio has the eighth highest smoking rate in the nation, with a smoking prevalence seven percent higher than the national average. New tobacco products are continually developed and are brought to market with little regulatory oversight. While many users believe these products are safer than traditional tobacco products, one startling statistic remains the same: Tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer and cancer-related deaths.
Recognizing the need for highly collaborative, highly productive, evidence-based tobacco research, the OSUCCC – James created the Center for Tobacco Research (CTR), a multidisciplinary, research center designed to coalesce the OSUCCC – James’ and The Ohio State University’s robust tobacco research programs into one centralized location.
Led by CTR Director and Principal Investigator Theodore L. Wagener, PhD, the OSUCCC – James CTR’s nationally and internationally renowned scientists work collaboratively, reaching across medical disciplines, educational departments, colleges and health care institutions to create and conduct meaningful research to support tobacco control policies that impact tobacco use and risks, and that grow tobacco cessation and prevention across the state.
The goal? To provide evidence-based knowledge urgently needed by the scientific community, public health officials and regulatory authorities to regulate tobacco products effectively and in a way that best serves individual and public health. Through careful, in-depth research and analysis, the CTR team gains unique insights into understanding tobacco users’ decision-making processes and preferences in order to shed light on the reasons and rationale that influence those preferences – as well as tobacco use, toxicant exposure, dependence and cessation.
At any given time, numerous scientific, advanced research projects are in progress in the CTR – all designed to assess the biological, psychological, economic and public health implications associated with tobacco use and the industry’s marketing of products to consumers.
Clinic and Laboratory
The clinic and laboratory area is 7600 square feet of office and human laboratory space that includes:
- A waiting room with full-time receptionist;
- Six negative pressure, experimental smoking rooms using Phoenix control systems;
- Three exam/phlebotomy clinic rooms;
- Freezer and storage room;
- Control room that allows for communication between research staff and participant rooms;
- And sample processing room;
- Faculty and staff offices.
This space has the ability to process and store biological samples, maintaining a 286 square foot area, including a sample preparation station; a full-size refrigerator; two high performance refrigerated centrifuges; and two -86 monitored deep freezers.
Shared Resources
The shared resources available to the OSUCCC – James Center for Tobacco Research nationally and internationally recognized scientists are designed to facilitate leading-edge research.
Resources for Quitting Tobacco
Please contact ccc-tobacco@osumc.edu if you would like help identifying additional resources.
Ohio Quitline
1-800-QUIT-NOW ((1-800-784-8669)
https://ohio.quitlogix.org/en-US/
ODH Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/tobacco-use-prevention-and-cessation/welcome-to