Determining the causes and consequences of nicotine dependence: emerging genetic research methods

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Establishing the genetic aetiology of tobacco use and dependence is an important first step in understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of tobacco use, and in turn the development of effective treatments. In addition, whilst the effects of tobacco use on a broad range of physical illnesses (e.g. lung cancer, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease) are now well-established, the causal effects of tobacco use on a number of other outcomes remains to be established. Determining the causes and consequences of tobacco use therefore continues to be both a scientific and a public health priority. Here we review emerging methods in genetic research that allow stronger causal inferences to be drawn from observational data.