Overview of smoking research issues

Overall, the issue is deceptively simple. There is a need to list the extant techniques which include some extensive recent advances. This should be followed by a simple hierarchical systematization of the techniques and definition of the requirements of each category of study. As is evident in the present volume, problems emerge in this effort. Nevertheless, it is clear that the effort could have considerable benefit, and further that it might serve as a model for biobehavioral research efforts. The present volume and its contributors provide many, though not all, of the essential ingredients, in an effort to move in this direction.