Research Policy Analysis and Coordination

Tobacco

The University of California does not ban the solicitation or acceptance of research funding from tobacco companies or their affiliates. In 2005, the Assembly of the Academic Senate resolved:

That the principles of academic freedom and the policies of the University of California require that individual faculty members be free to accept or refuse research support from any source consistent with their individual judgment and conscience and with University policy. Therefore, a unit of the University may not refuse to process, accept, or administer a research award based on the source of the funds; nor may such a unit encumber a faculty member’s ability to solicit or accept awards based on the source of the funds, except as directed by the UC Board of Regents.

In May 2007, the Assembly of the Academic Senate supported an Academic Council resolution that would later be adopted by The Regents in September 2007 as Regent Policy 2309: Policy Requiring Special Review/Approval Procedures Prior to University Submission of Research Proposals to Tobacco Industry Funders. This policy created special procedures for the submission of proposals to tobacco companies and affiliates, including review by a campus committee and approval by the Chancellor.

The University takes the health impacts of tobacco seriously, and on January 1, 2014 a “Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment” policy was implemented.

Additionally, the University administers the State-funded Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP) that funds research that enhances understanding of tobacco use, prevention and cessation, the social, economic and policy-related aspects of tobacco use, and tobacco-related diseases in California. TRDRP is funded through cigarette pack surcharge and individual contributions.