In addition to the establishment of the MSDH Office of Tobacco Control, section 41-113-9 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 created the Mississippi Tobacco Control Advisory Council to advise the Office of Tobacco Control on the development and implementation of tobacco-related programs and activities.
The Advisory Council comprises thirteen active members who are appointed by state and university officials. The Council has maintained an active role in the development and implementation of the comprehensive programs implemented within the state.
Advisory Council Members FY-2027
Council Appointees
| Name | Location | Affiliation/Appointing Official |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Shaw, PhD, MCHES | Jackson, Mississippi | School of Public Health, Jackson State University/Dean, School of Health Sciences |
| Robert "Bob" K. Collins, MD | Mississippi State University | Mississippi Chapter American Lung Association/Lieutenant Governor |
| Felix Twum, MPhil, DrPH | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | College of Health, University of Southern Mississippi/Dean, College of Health |
| Gena Vail, CFNP | New Albany, Mississippi | Mississippi Nurses Association/Lieutenant Governor |
| Louis King, MPA | Jackson, Mississippi | Office of Healthy Schools/State Superintendent of Education |
| Robert Lock, LPC | Jackson, Mississippi | The ACT Center for Tobacco Education, Treatment & Research/Governor |
| Washington Cole, IV, PhD | Jackson, Mississippi | Mississippi Chapter American Heart Association/Governor |
| Caroline Petty, LCSW | Jackson, Mississippi | Mississippi Chapter National Association of Social Workers/Speaker of the House |
| Richard Friedman, MD | Jackson, Mississippi | American Cancer Society/Speaker of the House |
| Vacant | Jackson, Mississippi | Office of Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center/Vice-Chancellor, Health Affairs |
| Jennifer Nichols | Jackson, Mississippi | Office of the Mississippi Attorney General/Mississippi Attorney General |
| Matthew Wesson, MD - Emeritus | Jackson, Mississippi | Non-Tobacco Affiliated Professional/Governor |
| Chawla Latoya Mason, MD, FASA | Jackson, Mississippi | Mississippi State Medical Association/Governor |
Legislative Members
| Name | Location | Affiliation/Appointing Official |
|---|---|---|
| Senator Nicole Boyd | Oxford, Mississippi | State Senate/Lieutenant Governor |
| Representative Sam Creekmore | New Albany, Mississippi | State House of Representatives/Speaker of the House |
