International cooperation for improving research in the field of tobacco control

Background: The activity of tobacco companies in any one country can potentially be felt globally (e.g., internet-based marketing activities, for which U.S cigarette manufacturers spent $27 million in 2015). The uniqueness of certain regions’ markets (e.g., heat-not-burn or other emerging products), or tobacco control experiences, further underscores the importance of shared learning for a more pre-emptive tobacco control strategy. Approach: Opportunities exist to share data, expertise, experiences, and training/ mentorship opportunities. These could include initiating multi-institutional studies, joint sponsorship/funding of major research, or sharing/disseminating opportunities for fellowships, and visiting scholar programs. Collaborations could be between individuals, academic institutions, or governmental agencies in relation to research, surveillance, and programmatic activities. Inter-disciplinary collaborations can deepen our understanding of the clinical, social, economic, and behavioral aspects of tobacco use and its consequences. Potential outcomes: Collaborations can result in greater efficiency and more pre-emptive tobacco control strategies, as mistakes can be avoided and successes replicated without “re-inventing the wheel”. Scientifically, international cooperation can help in standardizing outcomes and measures in surveillance and research studies to facilitate comparability of results. Conclusions: The fast evolving tobacco control landscape, and the global burden of tobacco use underscore the importance of an integrated tobacco prevention and control appraoch