TRTC in the News

Recent news coverage of the Tobacco Research & Treatment Center (TRTC) at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Find news by year:

2021

Researchers Studying Plant-Based Drug to Help Quit Smoking

May 4, 2021  NBC10 Boston
Nancy Rigotti, MD, speaks to NBC10 Boston about a new plant-based smoking cessation drug in the final stages of research at Mass General. To enroll, call (617) 726-7443; visit rally.partners.org/study/quitsmoking; or e-mail mghquitsmoking@mgh.harvard.edu. 

2018

Study: Stop-Smoking Drugs Chantix, Zyban Pose No Heart Risks

April 9, 2018  Associated Press
Nancy Rigotti, MD, offers perspective on a study that validated the safety of popular smoking cessation medications.

Health Concerns About Vaping Are Growing—Here’s Why

April 2, 2018  Vogue
This article focusing on e-cigarette use and safety quotes Nancy Rigotti, MD.

Some e-cigarette users may struggle to quit smoking

March 26, 2018  Reuters
A recently published analysis lead by Nancy Rigotti, MD, found that intermittent e-cigarette use may hinder smokers’ quit attempts. 

Are e-cigarettes safe? Doctor lays out benefits and harms

February 14, 2018  Metro.US
Nancy Rigotti, MD, is quoted in this article focusing on the safety of e-cigarettes, a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report on e-cigarettes which Dr. Rigotti co-authored

Kalter: Rosy e-cigs report won’t snuff out critics

January 24, 2018  Boston Herald
A recent NASEM report on e-cigarettes co-authored by Nancy Rigotti, MD, is featured along with quotes from Dr. Rigotti.

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2017

HIV sufferers who smoke are more likely to die from lung cancer than from HIV itself

September 18, 2017  Daily Mail
A study lead by Krishna Reddy, MD, found that smokers with HIV are more likely to die from Lung Cancer than HIV.

E-cigarette use among youth drops for 1st time in 6 years

June 15, 2017  USA Today
Nancy Rigotti, MD, provides insight on the pros and cons of electronic cigarettes.

COMMENTARY: Raise state tobacco sale age to 21

May 10, 2017  Masslive.com
Jonathan Winickoff, MD, voices his support for Massachusetts Senate Bill 1218/ House Bill 2864, which would raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21 statewide.

Paltry Numbers for Lung Cancer Screening

February 2, 2017  MedPage Today
Elyse Park, PhD, provides context to elucidate the reasons lung cancer screening rates among smokers continue to lag.

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2016

For People with HIV, Smoking Now More Dangerous Than the Disease

November 8, 2016  Healthline News
Travis Baggett, MD, co-authored a study which found that the health of HIV patients who smoke is harmed more by their smoking than by their HIV.

Make warnings on cigarette packs scary, health groups say

October 4, 2016  Boston Globe
Jonathan Winickoff, MD, is part of group that filed a lawsuit with the hopes of making the FDA require that cigarette packs display graphic, discouraging images.

Should You Quit Smoking or Lose Weight First?

September 12, 2016   U.S. News and World Report
Anne Thorndike, MD, is featured, offering insightful tips for people considering quitting smoking and losing weight.

New FDA regulations point to uncertain future for e-cigarette industry

September 6, 2016  Norman Transcript
Sara Kalkhoran, MD, offers insight on the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool in this article examining the impact FDA regulations may have.

More Nonsmoking Teens Inhaling Flavored Nicotine Through Vaping

July 10, 2016   New York Times
Jonathan Winickoff, MD, comments on study findings that show increased use of e-cigarette use by U.S. high school students.

Complexes snuffing out tobacco use

April 11, 2016   Bladen Journal
Jonathan Winickoff, MD, discusses the concept of Thirdhand Smoke as it relates to smoke-free policies in public housing complexes.

Avoiding the Dangers of Thirdhand Smoke

April 5, 2016   U.S. News and World Report
Jonathan Winickoff, MD, is quoted extensively in this article examining Thirdhand Smoke.

Many smokers with elevated cancer risk don’t adhere to follow-up imaging recommendations

March 1, 2016   HealthImaging.com
Sanja Percac-Lima, MD, found that many potential lung cancer patients do not receive their recommended  follow-up within 30 days.

E-cigarettes tied to reduced odds of quitting smoking

January, 25 2016   Fox News
This article discusses findings by Sara Kalkhoran, MD, regarding the use of e-cigarettes as an aide to smoking cessation.

E-cigarettes don’t, in fact, help you quit smoking, and may have the opposite effect

January 17, 2016   Yahoo News
Research by Sara Kalkhoran, MD, suggests that e-cigarette use actually increases the likelihood that people will continue smoking rather than quit.

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2015

Teen Smokers May Be Hard-Wired for Cigarette Addiction

December 31, 2015   Huffington Post
Nancy Rigotti, MD, is quoted for her insights on a study which suggests teens may be more susceptible to becoming addicted to cigarettes.

Egan: As prospects brighten for drug injection site, prepare the sound and fury

November 24, 2015   Ottawa Citizen
Research findings presented by Travis Baggett, MD, outlining the mortality risks related to tobacco and alcohol use among the homeless are discussed in this piece.

Housing and health - keys to ending homelessness

November 24, 2015   CFRA 580 News Talk Radio
Travis Baggett, MD, presented his research on the health concerns of the homeless at the 12th annual Community Forum on Ending Homelessness in Ottawa.

Pediatrician to highlight dangers of thirdhand smoke

October 6, 2015   Hickory Daily Record
Jonathan Winickoff, MD, and his work on Thirdhand Smoke, are profiled ahead of his October 7th Lecture at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Will E-Cigs and Vaping End Smoking, or Just Create New Problems?

September 25, 2015   Huffington Post
Jonathan Winickoff, MD, discusses some of the cons of e-cigarette use

Long-term effects of e-cigarettes still unknown

September 17, 2015   Health24.com
Sara Kalkhoran's, MD, research simulating the long run population health effects of e-cigarette use is discussed.

New Mass. Regulations On Sale Of E-Cigarettes Start Sept. 25

September 14, 2015   CBS Boston
Insights on e-cigarettes from Nancy Rigotti, MD, are referenced.

Smokers who switch to e-cigarettes may breathe fewer toxins

September 10, 2015   Fox News
Nancy Rigotti, MD, is quoted on the merits of a recent study that examined the safety of e-cigarettes.

Listen to Dr. Nancy Rigotti's JAMA interview regarding e-cigarettes

August 20, 2015   JAMA
Dr. Rigotti discusses e-cigarettes, particularly new research findings and her accompanying editorial, in this JAMA "Author Interview." To hear the interview follow the link below and find the interview on the right sidebar, under the title "Related Multimedia", or download it as a podcast.

E-Cigs May Spur Teens to Try Smoking: Study

August 18, 2015   U.S. News & World Report
Nancy Rigotti, MD, discusses the implications of research that linked teen's e-cigarette use to the initiation of smoking.

Nancy Rigotti, MD, wins the John M. Eisenberg National Award for Career Achievement in Research

July 2015   SGIM Forum
Nancy Rigotti, MD, received the prestigious Eisenberg Award at the SGIM Annual Meeting in April 2015. 

Cigarettes linked to half of deaths from 12 common cancers

June 15, 2015   Reuters
This article discusses research by Elyse Park, PhD regarding the impact of interventions by primary care providers on smokers.

Pill that quashes tobacco urge found in plain sight

May 15, 2015   Washington Post
Nancy Rigotti, MD, is quoted on Cytisine, a smoking cessation drug currently being evaluated by the FDA.

Study Supports Raising Tobacco-Purchase Age to 21

March 12, 2015   Wall Street Journal
Research on the impact of rising the legal age to purchase tobacco by Dr. Jonathan Winickoff is cited.

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2014

Cheap Natural Compound May Help Smokers Quit

December 17, 2014   U.S. News and World Report
Nancy Rigotti’s, MD, NEJM editorial on Cytisine is referenced and Dr. Rigotti adds supporting quotes.

Docs should ask heart patients about secondhand smoke: study

November 10, 2014   Reuters
Research by Nancy Rigotti, MD, found that patients are not routinely being asked about their exposure to second-hand smoke.

More Cities Raise Tobacco Age to 21

October 28, 2014   Wall Street Journal
Jonathan Winickoff’s, MD, efforts to increase the legal age for buying tobacco are featured.

Quick Gains After a Smoking Ban

March 31, 2014   New York Times
This article references Sara Kalkhoran, MD, and a commentary piece she co-wrote which accompanied a study outlining the positive impacts smoking bans have on pediatric health.