Bloomberg and Gates commit $500 million and call on governments to implement proven interventions to reduce tobacco use, save lives
Jump to full article: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 2008-07-23
Intro:
Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates today announced joint efforts to combat the global tobacco epidemic. A combined investment of $500 million will help governments in developing countries implement proven policies and increase funding for tobacco control. Unless urgent action is taken, as many as one billion people this century–more than two-thirds in the developing world–could die from tobacco-caused illnesses. Paula Johns, executive director of Brazil’s Alliance for the Control of Tobacco Use, and broadcast journalist Charlie Rose joined Bloomberg and Gates for the announcement.
Bloomberg’s Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, which was established in 2005 and includes a $125 million commitment, will be extended with a new $250 million, four-year commitment. This brings Bloomberg’s total commitment to date to more than $375 million.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced that it will invest $125 million over five years to fight the tobacco epidemic, including a $24 million grant to the Bloomberg Initiative. In addition to the grant to Bloomberg, the Gates Foundation will support complementary efforts to reduce high rates of tobacco use in countries such as China and India, as well as to help prevent the tobacco epidemic from taking root in Africa. Posted by CBM, CC, and CF
Tags: Cigarettes, Smoking, Tobacco
