Nicotine and Tobacco Research Related to Sex/Gender: a 10-Year Update

In 2015, Nicotine & Tobacco Research published its first sex/gender themed issue (https://academic.oup.com/ntr/issue/17/4). During the past decade, knowledge in relation to sex and/or gender (henceforth sex/gender) differences has moved forward and expanded, though more work needs to be done.1,2 Our first goal with this new Nicotine & Tobacco Research themed issue was to recognize the 10th anniversary of the previous themed issue by highlighting recent work in nicotine/tobacco-related research on sex/gender that seeks to reduce the continued sex/gender disparities in commercial nicotine/tobacco use. Our second goal for this issue was to capture a fuller range of sex/gender groups with research on sex and gender minoritized (SGM) individuals, whose nicotine/tobacco-related disparities are also well-documented.3 Consideration of SGM individuals in this themed issue not only moves beyond the sex/gender binary (eg, male versus female)4,5 but also incorporates sexual orientation. Tremendous change has also occurred over the past year. Indeed, since the deadline for manuscript submissions for this issue (July 2024) to the writing of this editorial (June 2025), we (three United States-based researchers) find ourselves in a different world. Researchers have tragically had grants terminated. Lists of “banned” words (eg, “female,” “orientation,” “pregnant people”) have been seen that may mark federal grant submissions for additional scrutiny (at minimum) or for complete removal from the review process. Journal editors and academics are publicly stating that we must allow for a continued focus on sex/gender within addictions research (and beyond).6-9 The scientific community is pushing back against efforts to block, revoke, rewrite, or erase this essential work. At this time, it is more important than ever to reiterate our longstanding viewpoint that research in all areas related to sex/gender is critical for advancing our knowledge about nicotine/tobacco, including how to reduce the use and harms of nicotine/tobacco products.