Adjunct Faculty
Adjunct faculty typically have an academic or research appointment at another institution and contribute or collaborate with one or more School of Medicine faculty members or programs.
Adjunct rank detailsBenjamin Toll, PhD
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Biography
Dr. Benjamin Toll is a licensed clinical psychologist and a Professor, Adjunct in the Department of Psychiatry. He specializes in clinical research on the treatment of tobacco use disorders, alcohol use disorders, and improvement of health behaviors.
Dr. Toll has received grants from the National Institutes of Health, including multiple R01 grants from the National Cancer Institute, and he is an author of over 130 peer-reviewed publications relating to nicotine and tobacco research, including several clinical trials published in first tier medical (e.g., Journal of the National Cancer Institute) and psychology journals (e.g., Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology) and clinical practice guidelines and policy statements from international medical societies. He has served as an author for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) on a policy statement encouraging physicians to provide tobacco treatment for cancer patients, the American College of Chest Physician (ACCP) treatment guidelines for smoking cessation among lung cancer patients, and the American Thoracic Society's (ATS) clinical practice guideline for treatment of tobacco dependent adults. He also holds leadership positions in national associations relating to tobacco treatment research. Dr. Toll is a past Board Member for the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT), and a current member of the AACR Tobacco and Cancer Subcommittee.
Dr. Toll’s NCI funded research has focused on testing novel smoking cessation treatments and he has conducted numerous clinical trials in this regard. Many of his studies have investigated promotion of smoking cessation through novel message framing and motivational interventions, including those delivered via telephone and in person. Dr. Toll has tested several pharmacological and counseling interventions, and he also has expertise in the measurement of tobacco use and tobacco related syndromes (e.g., withdrawal, craving), and mediators and moderators of response to treatment. He has served as a reviewer for numerous peer-reviewed publications, including the Surgeon General’s Report (The Health Consequences of Smoking: 50 Years of Progress, Chapter: Cigarette Smoking and Adverse Health Outcomes in Cancer Patients and Survivors).
Last Updated on December 01, 2024.
Departments & Organizations
- ADVANCE Study
- Connecticut Mental Health Center
- Division of Substance Abuse
- Psychology Section
- Psychotherapy Development Center
- Smoking Cessation and Alcohol Treatment Research Clinic
- SPORE in Lung Cancer
- WHRY Pilot Project Program Investigators
- Women's Health Research at Yale
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- PhD
- Nova Southeastern University (2002)
- MS
- Nova Southeastern University (1999)
- BA
- Cornell University (1996)
Research
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Overview
Dr. Toll’s primary research interest involves developing novel psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for tobacco use disorders. Current studies focus on message framing to promote smoking cessation. He has been working with the New York State Smokers' Quitline on studies testing gain-framed counseling (e.g., if you quit smoking you will live longer) and mediators and moderators of responses to gain-framed counseling. He has also been working on studies of naltrexone for minimization of post smoking cessation weight gain. In addition, Dr. Toll is involved in several studies of psychometrics, assessment, and methodological issues with addictive behaviors.
- “Promoting Tobacco and Cancer Control: Message Framing for Telephone Quitline Callers” This project will be a secondary analysis of our New York State Smokers’ Quitline data.
- “Smoking Cessation to Improve Survival Rates of Head and Neck Cancer Patients” This project is an 8-week, open label clinical trial comparing smoking cessation treatment with varenicline 2 mg to nicotine patch 21 mg in a sample of 30 patients who completed treatment for head and neck cancer.
Medical Research Interests
Global Health; Psychiatry; Smoking Cessation
ORCID
0000-0001-7978-8416
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Benjamin Toll's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Benjamin Toll's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Benjamin Toll is interested in exploring.
Lisa Fucito, PhD
Marney A. White, PhD, MS
Melissa R Schick, PhD
Nicole Elbertson, MEd, BS
Peter Salovey, PhD
Robert Makuch, PhD
32Publications
590Citations
Smoking Cessation
Publications
2026
Predictors of enrollment and cessation outcomes in a telehealth opt-out tobacco treatment program
Anokye V, Roberson A, Palmer A, Toll B, Wilson D, Dunlap M, Bliss A, Ware E, Warren G, Cummings K. Predictors of enrollment and cessation outcomes in a telehealth opt-out tobacco treatment program. Health Education Research 2026, 41: cyag006. PMID: 41738480, DOI: 10.1093/her/cyag006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsTobacco treatment programCigarette smokersProportion of cigarette smokersProportion of patientsSmoking outcomesNon-white patientsFollow-up 4Treatment programsAdult patientsFollow-upOlder patientsPatient groupDiagnosis of cancerOncology outpatient clinicOpt-out approachPatientsOutpatient clinicStatus 4Cigarette useSmokersStop smokingPredictors of enrollmentCessation outcomesCancerOncology clinicAssociations between Tobacco Use and Tobacco Cessation Pharmacotherapy on Rehospitalizations
Nielsen E, Zhang J, Marsden J, Bays C, Mauldin P, Brownstein N, Toll B, Schreiner A, Heincelman M. Associations between Tobacco Use and Tobacco Cessation Pharmacotherapy on Rehospitalizations. Southern Medical Journal 2026, 119: 56-61. PMID: 41627956, DOI: 10.14423/smj.0000000000001930.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPrescription of smoking cessation medicationsTobacco cessation medicationsCessation medicationsTobacco useNever smokersRetrospective cohort studyRehospitalization ratesFormer smokersHigher oddsSmoking statusTreatment of tobacco useSmoking cessation medication prescriptionsTobacco treatment programAssociation of smoking statusCessation medication prescriptionsPrimary care clinicsTobacco cessation pharmacotherapyOdds of rehospitalizationLikelihood of rehospitalizationLow prescription ratesPublic health issueCohort study of patientsRisk of rehospitalizationCare clinicsRetrospective cohort study of patientsEvaluation of the Healthy Eating and Recovery Together (HEART) digital health intervention to support head and neck cancer caregivers and survivors
Sterba K, Burris J, Duan R, Toll B, Armeson K, Sithideth C, Chera B, Ruggiero K, Graboyes E. Evaluation of the Healthy Eating and Recovery Together (HEART) digital health intervention to support head and neck cancer caregivers and survivors. MHealth 2026, 12: 6-6. PMID: 41675100, PMCID: PMC12885827, DOI: 10.21037/mhealth-25-53.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHead and neck cancer caregiversHead and neck cancer survivorsHead and neck cancerHealthy eatingNeeds assessmentUnmet needsDigital health interventionsMulti-component interventionTailored care planShort-term effectsFollow-up surveyCancer caregiversCaregiving challengesCare planningSession completionHealth interventionsBaseline surveyCaregiversDepressive symptomsIn-personParticipant engagementInterventionSurvivorsHealthyNeck cancer
2025
An AACR Policy Statement to Support a Federal Limit on Nicotine in Combustible Tobacco and Protect Public Health.
Hatsukami D, Goniewicz M, Leischow S, Rigotti N, Tellman T, Warren N, Davidson B, Toll B. An AACR Policy Statement to Support a Federal Limit on Nicotine in Combustible Tobacco and Protect Public Health. Clinical Cancer Research 2025, 32: 16-26. PMID: 41195890, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-25-2182.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsChronic tobacco useTobacco useEvidence-based smoking cessation therapiesCombustible cigarettesPublic healthNicotine productsLocal health agenciesPublic health benefitsCombustible tobacco productsNicotine product standardSmoking cessation therapyQuit attemptsHealth agenciesPreventable causeAverage cigarettesCombustible tobaccoCancer preventionTobacco productsCessation therapyPremature deathDisease policyCigaretteHealth benefitsClinical trialsNicotine levelsThe American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable strategic plan: Tobacco treatment in the context of lung cancer screening
Fathi J, Cinciripini P, DePrimo M, Houston T, Kathuria H, Park E, Pua B, Roelke T, Taylor K, Toll B, Zeliadt S, Kazerooni E, Smith R, Ostroff J. The American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable strategic plan: Tobacco treatment in the context of lung cancer screening. Cancer 2025, 131: e35972. PMID: 40928189, DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35972.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsLung cancer screeningTobacco treatmentCancer screeningCessation servicesProvision of cessation servicesDecision-making visitTobacco treatment deliveryTobacco treatment guidelinesTobacco-cessation interventionsElectronic health recordsCigarette smoking abstinenceLeading risk factorEvidence-based treatmentsScreening staffHealth outcomesHealth recordsTobacco useContextual barriersSmoking cessationNational Coverage DeterminationSmoking abstinencePatient literatureCigarette smokingQuality indicatorsRisk factorsAssociation Between Unplanned 30-Day Hospital Readmission, Smoking Status, and Exposure to an Inpatient Tobacco Treatment Program
Cummings K, Roberson A, Dooley M, Cartmell K, Talbot V, Obeid J, Toll B. Association Between Unplanned 30-Day Hospital Readmission, Smoking Status, and Exposure to an Inpatient Tobacco Treatment Program. Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2025, 28: 563-568. PMID: 40637243, DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntaf144.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsTobacco treatment programUnplanned hospital readmissionsHospital readmissionSmoking statusUnplanned readmissionDelivery of smoking cessation treatmentCigarette smokingTobacco treatment servicesRisk of unplanned hospital readmissionHealthcare utilization dataElectronic health recordsRisk factorsTreatment programsEffects of exposureObservational cohort studyHealth recordsNever smokersCessation treatmentSmoking cigarettesTreatment servicesUtilization dataCohort studyLogistic regressionModerating effectSmokingDevelopment of a Mobile App to Support Head and Neck Cancer Caregiving: Mixed Methods Study
Sterba K, Graboyes E, Burris J, Scallion M, Kinder H, Olsen J, Toll B, Armeson K, Day T, Chera B, Ruggiero K. Development of a Mobile App to Support Head and Neck Cancer Caregiving: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Cancer 2025, 11: e66471. PMID: 40548448, PMCID: PMC12172808, DOI: 10.2196/66471.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsHead and neck cancer caregiversMixed methods studyHead and neck cancerNutritional concernsThematic analysisMethods studyNational panelWeb-based cross-sectional surveyCaregiver self-careCaregivers of individualsCross-sectional surveyThematic analysis of interview dataHead and neck cancer treatmentCancer caregiversNutritional challengesOncology dietitiansAnalysis of interview dataCaregiver burdenMobile appsCaregiving tasksHealthy eatingIntervention preferencesSelf-CareSupport appCare decisionsAugmented Doses of Nicotine Replacement Therapy: Feasibility for Dual Cigarette and E-Cigarette Cessation
Palmer A, DeMass R, Rojewski A, Bagley E, Carpenter M, Smith T, Toll B. Augmented Doses of Nicotine Replacement Therapy: Feasibility for Dual Cigarette and E-Cigarette Cessation. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine 2025, 69: 107664. PMID: 40409566, DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2025.107664.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsDoses of nicotine replacement therapyNicotine replacement therapyReplacement therapyCombustible cigarettesAugmented doseE-cigarettesFollow-upEnd of treatmentLikelihood of abstinenceNicotine dependenceDual cigaretteHeavy smokingE-cigarette cessationPilot feasibility trialTherapyPowered trialsCigaretteNicotineCessation interventionsHigh groupAbstinenceTreatmentEquation modelingStudy proceduresCessationNicotine Pouch Use in Youths and Adults Who Use Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Smokeless Tobacco
Palmer A, Smith T, Chen A, Rojewski A, Carpenter M, Toll B. Nicotine Pouch Use in Youths and Adults Who Use Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Smokeless Tobacco. JAMA Network Open 2025, 8: e2511630. PMID: 40354056, PMCID: PMC12070233, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.11630.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricGain-Framed Text Messages and Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smoking Cessation Among Lung Cancer Screening Patients: A Brief Report of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Pebley K, Toll B, Carpenter M, Silvestri G, Rojewski A. Gain-Framed Text Messages and Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smoking Cessation Among Lung Cancer Screening Patients: A Brief Report of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2025, 22: 543. PMID: 40283767, PMCID: PMC12026912, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22040543.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsLung cancer screeningEffective smoking cessation interventionsLung cancer screening patientsSmoking cessation interventionsIntervention groupCessation interventionsSmoking cessationPilot randomized controlled trialText messagesIntervention group participantsSelf-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinencePoint prevalence abstinenceNicotine replacement therapyControl groupRandomized Controlled TrialsCancer screeningPriority populationsFollow-upQuit ratesPrevalence abstinenceGroup participantsNegative clinical outcomesAfrican AmericansControlled TrialsIntervention
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Activities
activity Clinical Research Committee, Connecticut Mental Health Center
07/01/2008 - PresentCommitteesCommittee Memberactivity Yale College Fellowships for Research in Health Studies
2009 - PresentPeer Review Groups and Grant Study SectionsReviewerDetailsGrant review
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