Ryan David Kennedy

Ryan David Kennedy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University. He is jointly affiliated with the School of Medicine and holds key roles at the Institute for Global Tobacco Control (IGTC) and the Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI), where his research informs FDA tobacco policy.

His research interests include tobacco control, emerging nicotine products, public health policy, regulatory science, environmental health, air quality, social marketing, and mixed-methods research. Kennedy’s work examines the impact of policies such as health warning labels, clean air laws, and point-of-sale advertising restrictions, both domestically and in low- and middle-income countries.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and the marketing tactics used by tobacco companies, including greenwashing and flavor promotion. He employs diverse methodologies—observational studies, surveys, content analysis, and experimental designs—to generate evidence for regulatory decision-making.

Scientific contributions include:

• Global analysis of e-cigarette and nicotine pouch regulation
• Assessment of ENDS advertising expenditures and content
• Studies on clean air policies and tobacco retail environments
• Research on environmental and chemical stressors in vulnerable communities

Kennedy leads research funded by the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use and collaborates extensively with international and domestic public health agencies. His work bridges science and policy, aiming to reduce tobacco-related harm through evidence-based regulation. He has not been noted as advising specific students, but his role as a principal investigator suggests mentorship of junior researchers and trainees.

He is actively involved in laboratory and team-based research, particularly within the IGTC and CERSI, focusing on policy evaluation and exposure science. His ongoing projects include scanning global regulatory landscapes and assessing the public health impact of novel nicotine products.