Aparna Soni, PhD

Research Project:
Evaluating the Impacts of State Tobacco Control Policies on COPD

Grant Awarded:

Public Health and Policy Research Award

Research Topics:

disparities
health policy
public health
tobacco

Research Disease:

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects 16 million people in the United States and is the sixth leading cause of death nationwide. Smoking cessation can prevent new COPD diagnoses and improve lung function in existing COPD patients. However, we currently know little about the direct impact of states’ policy efforts to curb cigarette smoking on COPD outcomes. This project will fill that gap by evaluating the impact of state tobacco control policies—including cigarette taxes, indoor smoking bans, e-cigarette taxes, and minimum age for sale—on COPD prevalence, hospital use, and deaths in the United States. We will also conduct subgroup analyses for key vulnerable populations to assess whether these policies reduce health disparities in COPD outcomes. Our findings will inform policy decisions regarding tobacco control by estimating COPD-related cost savings from optimal combinations of tobacco control policies.

Page last updated: October 29, 2025

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