Global Action to End Smoking Awards Grant to University of Chicago to Increase Living Kidney Donation Through Smoking Cessation

NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Action to End Smoking is pleased to announce an innovative grant to The University of Chicago that aims to increase the number of viable living kidney donors by offering comprehensive smoking cessation support, including tobacco harm reduction, for donors who smoke.

According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, more than 109,000 people are awaiting an organ transplant, and of those roughly 95,000 need a kidney transplant. The need for kidney transplants greatly outweighs the supply: In 2023, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations found that nearly 4,000 individuals in the U.S. passed away while waiting for a kidney donation.

Unlike many other organs, kidney donations can come from living or deceased individuals. Willing individuals may donate a kidney to those in need if they meet certain criteria. For example, donation centers typically require donors to abstain from smoking for a sufficient amount of time, as smoking increases the risk of surgical complications to both the donor and the recipient.

With Global Action's grant, The University of Chicago will expand smoking cessation assistance for donors who smoke with the goal of increasing the number of kidney transplants.

"By offering resources to adults who smoke, this grant work will potentially extend the lives of two major groups: those who can finally receive a kidney donation, and those who are empowered to successfully quit smoking," said Pamela Parizek, Board Chair of Global Action to End Smoking.

Global Action's grant will increase the reach of Project Donor, a pilot program created by The University of Chicago. Previously, Project Donor has supported over 2,000 individuals in making lifestyle modifications, such as smoking cessation, to become a living donor, resulting in 240 successful living donations.

"We are excited to work with Global Action to support more prospective living donors on their path to stop smoking," said Josie Maier, the Director of Project Donor. "By quitting smoking, prospective donors can become eligible for organ donation and save the life of someone they care about."

With Global Action's support, Project Donor will help more potential donors quit smoking and become eligible to donate. The grant work includes creating donor-specific case management training, providing access to additional counseling, distributing free nicotine replacement therapies or other tobacco harm reduction tools where appropriate, and embedding automated referrals to increase the program's reach. Project Donor also will partner with up to 160 U.S. transplant centers to ensure that any potential donors disqualified for smoking are connected to cessation and harm reduction resources as appropriate. 

"Collectively, public health has made many strides in ending combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death," said Parizek. "Our grant work with The University of Chicago and Project Donor demonstrates the creative approach we're taking to assist all adults who smoke to quit."

Is smoking still a public health problem?

Smoking rates have declined over the last 40 years, but progress has stagnated. Roughly 20% of adults across the globe continue to smoke. In the U.S., the smoking rate remains just under 10%. However, smoking rates are disproportionately high in certain populations, including those who live with mental health conditions, substance use disorders or chronic disease; identify as people of color or indigenous people; live in poverty; and/or are members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Why is smoking so dangerous?

Smoking a cigarette burns tobacco, which releases thousands of chemicals into the lungs. Many of these chemicals are known to cause long-term health problems, including cancer, heart disease, reproductive challenges, and more.

Nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant found in tobacco. Though it is not as dangerous as many of the other chemicals found in cigarettes, it is what makes smoking extremely difficult to quit.

Traditional smoking cessation tools include nicotine replacement therapies like gum, patches, or lozenges. Counseling and medications can also help a person who would like to quit. However, if a person can't or won't quit smoking with these approaches, less harmful products containing nicotine may be appropriate tools to help adults who smoke to quit.

What is tobacco harm reduction?

Tobacco harm reduction is a specific form of harm reduction applied to people who smoke combustible cigarettes.

Harm reduction is a concept in public health that acknowledges that certain activities have high risks, and that there are ways to modify these activities to reduce these risks. It is a term that first became common in public health in the 1980s. Examples of harm reduction include providing clean needles for those who use IV drugs, condoms for those who engage in sexual activity, or seatbelts for those riding in a car.

Tobacco harm reduction is the concept that for those adults who cannot or will not quit smoking using traditional cessation tools, switching entirely to reduced-risk nicotine options can lower their long-term health risks and help them live longer, healthier lives. These products include e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, or heated tobacco products.

These products aren't entirely safe, but they don't contain as many of the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. Many health authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the UK's National Health Service, recognize the potential benefit of these tools for adults who smoke. The U.S. FDA has authorized certain reduced-risk nicotine products as less harmful alternative for adults who smoke and switch completely. The UK's NHS states that e-cigarettes can help people who smoke quit and are significantly less risky than cigarettes.

What is Global Action to End Smoking?

Global Action to End Smoking is a 501(c)(3) charitable grantmaking organization. Our mission is to end combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death globally.

We are accelerating comprehensive, science-based global efforts to end the smoking epidemic. We support all adults who smoke on their unique journeys to quit—no matter where they live or what identities they carry. We want all adults who smoke to feel respected. We understand each person's quit journey is as unique as they are, and their trust must be earned through empathy.

Media Contact:
Katherine Ellen Foley, Senior Director, Communications
202-215-9971
[email protected]

SOURCE Global Action to End Smoking