The University of California’s Board of Regents will consider a proposal that would bar its researchers from accepting support from tobacco companies, despite concern from some that such a rule would inhibit academic freedom.

The issue came up this week during a meeting of the board, according to accounts in the Contra Costa Times and other newspapers. Over the years, a number of other American and overseas universities and schools of public health have adopted such proposals, prompted in part by public-health advocates and organizations like the American Cancer Society (The Chronicle, February 20, 2004).

Earlier this month, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante of California, an ex officio member of the board, suggested in a letter to Science magazine that the university system adopt such a policy as well. The board said it would consider the proposal.