Bloomberg Philanthropies Commits $360M in Tobacco Control Support
Over the last 10 years Bloomberg Philanthropies has invested millions of dollars in the fight against tobacco use in low- and middle-income countries. The tobacco control investment has changed the global trajectory of tobacco use, with global sales of tobacco plateauing in 2012 and about 200 billion fewer cigarettes sold in 2014 than in 2010. To date, the tobacco control initiative has spanned more than 110 countries, successfully passed or supported laws and policies in 59 countries, reached nearly 3.5 billion people, and saved an estimated 30 million lives.
As a partner in the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use during the past decade, the CDC Foundation has worked with international agencies to reduce the global death and disease associated with tobacco use. The CDC Foundation supports the efforts of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization as they assist countries in implementing tobacco use surveys that measure the global burden of tobacco use. These surveys provide robust data that help low- and middle-income countries evaluate tobacco control interventions and measure tobacco control progress.
While significant progress has been made, Bloomberg Philanthropies and partners in the initiative recognize that much more work lies ahead to reduce tobacco usage and save more lives. On December 5, Bloomberg Philanthropies committed an additional $360 million to global tobacco control efforts. This investment will raise Bloomberg’s total support on this health initiative to nearly $1 billion. The additional funds will enable tobacco control advocates and public health officials to expand and accelerate effective tobacco control strategies and continue to track the tobacco epidemic.
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ continued investment in tobacco control ensures that global partners and advocates can continue their lifesaving work and keep people alive, healthy and productive. The CDC Foundation is grateful to work with Bloomberg Philanthropies and initiative partners to improve the health and well-being of people all over the world.
