Tobacco

Tobacco and nicotine research

Our research examines the behavioural, social and commercial factors that influence tobacco and nicotine use, as well as the health and economic impacts of new policies and interventions. The goal is to provide evidence that supports informed decision-making by policy-makers and practitioners. We are currently collaborating with national programmes of research as part of the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Addictions and the NIHR School for Public Health Research.

Our work spans several key areas:

Policy modelling

• Smoking prevalence and national smoke-free targets: Using the Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Modelling Platform (STAPM) we develop sophisticated models to forecast future trends in smoking prevalence and assess the impact of various tobacco control policies, such as changes to tobacco taxation. Our modelling work has informed policy and public debate in England, Scotland and Wales.
• Economic impacts of tobacco control: We quantify the economic effects of tobacco control policies, including effects on government tax revenue, worker productivity, macroeconomic effects and healthcare costs.
• Vaping and new nicotine product research: We are developing new models to investigate the role of e-cigarettes and other types of non-tobacco nicotine products in smoking cessation, and also to model the public health implications of changes to nicotine product use among people who have never previously smoked tobacco.

Supporting smoking cessation

• Flexible stop smoking services: We evaluate innovative approaches to delivering stop smoking support, including improvements to community stop smoking services, hospital-based tobacco dependence treatment services and the integration of smoking cessation support with other healthcare settings.
• Smoke-free outdoor spaces: We conduct research to inform the implementation of smoke-free outdoor spaces, including university campuses and public areas.

Understanding behavioural complexity

• Behavioural modelling: We use advanced modelling techniques to understand the complex behaviours that drive smoking cessation and relapse. This research aims to develop more effective personalised interventions.
• Experimental approaches: We are developing research programmes using behavioural choice experiments to understand people's fine scale responses to new tobacco and nicotine policies, and the behavioural mechanisms that underlie these responses.

Young people

• Including young people in research: We are conducting participatory work with young people to understand their perspectives on smoking and vaping and how these can inform decision-making on tobacco and nicotine policy at local and national levels.