Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco as an Outgrowth of the 1988 Surgeon General’s Report on Nicotine Addiction: Reflections of the Early Presidents

Abstract

Introduction: The Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco began in the United States as a scientific organization “to stimulate the generation and dissemination of new knowledge concerning nicotine and tobacco in all its manifestations.” Now in its 30th year, the Society is taking on new challenges in tobacco control, nicotine vaping, product regulation, and public policy. Aims and Methods: This Review describes the formative years of the Society from the perspective of researchers who were in leadership positions during that time, documenting how biobehavioral and clinical research in the first 10 years was a continuation of the scientific mission of the 1988 United States Surgeon General’s Report on Nicotine Addiction and summarizing organizational innovations during each president’s term of office. Conclusions: The Society’s promotion of scientific research served as a catalyst for funding, policy, and regulation, setting the stage for its influence and credibility.