A CORESTA Monograph entitled "Tobacco: Production, Chemistry and Technology" will be published in early 1999 by Blackwell Science with D. Layten Davis and Mark T. Nielsen as co-editors. The Monograph has 14 chapters, 41 authors and is expected to be about 900 pages in length. Many others have contributed to the development of this book. It covers major aspects of tobacco research and development with the authors being selected based on their recognized expertise in a particular subject area. "From seed to smoke" was adopted as the title for the introductory chapter. Following this chapter, a discussion of breeding and genetics precedes a chapter on biotechnology. Tobacco is an ideal recipient for the introduction and expression of foreign genes that may be used for plant enhancement and disease resistance. Biotechnology will have an impact on tobacco production and utilization. The monograph outlines the general management practices for each major tobacco type. The economic losses, management options, and effects on tobacco's chemical composition and usability resulting from plant diseases are the focus of several sections. The minimization of pesticide residues and improved pest management from tobacco production through storage is discussed. The chemistry of the tobacco leaf and the differences among tobacco types are presented in a chapter on leaf chemistry which is followed by a discussion of the physical properties in relation to manufacturing requirements. Sections on tobacco's marketing systems, threshing, re-drying, aging, fermentation and storage are included. An extensive chapter on cigarette manufacturing includes topics of tobacco blending, cigarette design and quality assurance. A detailed description of smoke chemistry has been prepared. Lastly, topics related to cigars, cigarillos and smokeless tobacco products are explored. Clearly, this monograph is intended to offer a broad view of current tobacco knowledge and offers a look at the future. Several of the major points of the monograph will be covered in the plenary address.