At its meeting on 3 March 1998 the University Council accepted a series of recommendations from Academic Board relating to the University's position on research funded by tobacco companies, which had previously been endorsed by senior management and Research Committee.
Members of Council noted that the recommendations had been drafted in response to an approach from the Anti-Cancer Foundation requesting that the University adopt their Tobacco Policy in regard to research funds and the 1996 Australian Cancer Society 'no tobacco policy'.
Council accepted that a three tiered approach would be appropriate and would address the concerns expressed by the Anti Cancer Foundation, which in turn might also be seen to reflect broad community views on the issue. In addition it would help to ensure that research undertaken by the University was ethically sound and at the same time consistent with the response made by other universities throughout the Unified National System.
Council resolved:
1. not to accept funding from tobacco related sources for health research
2. not to accept funding from tobacco related sources for health-related research
3. not to accept funding from tobacco related sources for non-health related research, except in exceptional circumstances requiring the approval of the Vice Chancellor and when the University retains control of responsibility for publishing the results of any such research
4. to develop a Research Policy on this issue.