One of the world’s leading authorities on tobacco policy, K. Michael Cummings, PhD, MPH, has joined the faculty of the Medical University of South Carolina and will lead research on tobacco control, public policy, and smoking cessation within the Hollings Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control program.

 “Hollings is already doing important research on tobacco and tobacco cessation,” said Cummings, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. “With one-third of all cancer deaths linked to tobacco, South Carolina has a significant public health problem. My role will include building on and advancing all facets of the center’s tobacco research with the goals of changing health behaviors and redirecting public policy toward the same end.”

Cummings said his plans include establishing comprehensive smoking-cessation services available to residents statewide, and launching a large study using spiral CT scanning to screen heavy smokers and formerly-heavy smokers for lung cancer.

Read more about Dr. Cummings role at Hollings Cancer Center.