Disseminating the Cancer Research Campaign Code of Practice on Tobacco Industry Funding of Research Available to Purchase

Describes the process undergone by the Cancer Research Campaign (CRC) to develop the arguments, harness support for, implement and disseminate, a Code of Practice on Tobacco Industry Funding for Research in the UK. Following the establishment of a chair at the University of Cambridge funded by British American Tobacco, the CRC drafted a Code which stated that it would not fund research teams who accepted money from tobacco companies. Universities and scientists were asked for their views on the draft code, while members of the public were interviewed about their views of the sponsorship and funding of various activities, and the perceived trustworthiness of various sources, including those from the tobacco industry. There was strong support for the Code from scientists, and mostly support from those universities that responded, although some raised practical and ethical concerns. The public showed a marked dislike for tobacco company sponsorship and funding, and marked distrust of tobacco industry representatives.