Testimony of Michael Eriksen, Sc.D.
January 24, 2005 10:59 pm by Gene BorioTestimony of Michael Eriksen, Sc.D.
From the DOJ Witness List:
Michael Eriksen, Sc.D., is expected to offer expert testimony based upon: (1) his expertise in public health, youth smoking behavior, and tobacco use generally, including professional experience, education, training, teaching and research as set forth in his expert report, and to the extent described further at the depositions taken in this case; and (2) literature and other materials considered and disclosed in his expert report or through supplemental expert disclosures. Dr. Eriksen will provide his opinions relating to the prevalence of youth smoking and other facts regarding smoking behavior and tobacco use as reported by various surveys, studies, and governmental reports; that the consensus of the scientific research and other studies is that Defendants’ cigarette marketing is a substantial contributing factor to smoking initiation and the continuation of smoking; and that Defendants’ internal documents confirm that Defendants’ cigarette marketing has been directed at young people.
Eriksen, Michael Ph.D.
US Expert Witness
Dr. Eriksen is currently Professor, Director of the Institute of Public Health at Georgia State University. Dr. Eriksen is the former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health (”OSH”), the primary Federal agency responsible for coordinating tobacco and health issues. At OSH, Dr. Eriksen was responsible for the preparation of the Reports of the United States Surgeon General. Dr. Eriksen has researched and published about the tobacco industry and tobacco-related disease control and prevention issues for over 20 years. During his distinguished career, Dr. Eriksen has held the following positions:
–Director, Professor, Institute of Public Health, Georgia State University, 2002-present
–Distinguished Consultant, Centers for Disease Control, assigned to the World Health Organization, 2000-2002
–Director, Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control, 1992-2000
–Director, Behavioral Research Program, Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1986-1992
–Director of Preventative, Health Education, Pacific Bell, 1982-1986
Dr. Eriksen has written nearly 80 articles in peer-reviewed journals and books on tobacco-related issues and has received numerous professional awards and honors, for instance recently being recognized by the Georgia Cancer Institute as a Distinguished Cancer Scholar, an honor accompanied by substantial grant money for research related to tobacco. Dr. Eriksen has served on numerous committees dealing with public health issues as well the editorial boards of several prestigious public health journals. In addition to his current duties directing Georgia State University’s Institute of Public Health, Dr. Eriksen continues to conduct research and publish his work on tobacco-related issues.