The role of training in global tobacco control research.

Despite the pandemic nature of the tobacco control problem, little attention has been given to the role of research training in stemming the global tide of tobacco use. Tobacco research plays a critical role in both shaping policy and saving lives, and training new tobacco researchers is an important part of the tobacco control agenda. There are several conceptual training models, all of which emphasize communicative partnerships and multidisciplinary approaches. It also is important to take cultural background and specificity into account when shaping research and training agendas. We present a number of successful training initiatives and address both the strengths and the pitfalls of these endeavors.