Note: World Lung Foundation united with The Union North America. From January 2016, the combined organization is known as “Vital Strategies.”
(New York, USA) – World Lung Foundation today released the following statement from Peter Baldini, Chief Executive Officer, after the announcement of Philanthropist and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s historic $220 million commitment to global fight against tobacco use at the International Conference on Tobacco or Health in Singapore on March 22, 2012.
“Our goal of reversing a catastrophic wave of deaths just got one step closer to being achieved. Michael Bloomberg has already catalyzed a global movement in which 3.7 million lives have been saved from tobacco use. 1.3 billion people across 30 countries are newly protected by effective policies that reduce demand and protect non-smokers. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ renewed commitment will continue to build on that tremendous progress.
This news comes at a time when the tobacco industry is redoubling its efforts to interfere with policies that work, and as it continues spending billions of dollars in marketing to hook a new generation of users on its deadly products. That these efforts are disguised as corporate responsibility and are aimed at some of the world’s poorest countries is even more reason to support a globally coordinated effort such as the Bloomberg Initiative.
We are thrilled that thousands of newly trained tobacco control experts will have the resources to continue affecting change through government and civil society. Their tireless efforts on measures such as taxation, smoke-free policies, international law and public education are critical in addressing the most preventable cause of death in the world – tobacco use.”
About the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use (Bloomberg Initiative)
Tobacco use is the leading global cause of preventable death – killing almost six million people annually. The Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use is focused on reducing the public health impact of tobacco use globally, by implementing proven tobacco control policies in low- and middle-income countries where 80% of tobacco-related deaths occur. In its first five years, the Initiative’s partners have supported governments and civil society groups by fostering the implementation of smoke-free legislation and other effective tobacco control policies. It is currently a 10-year program backed by nearly $600 million in funding. For more information, please visit www.mikebloomberg.com.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies works primarily to advance five areas globally: the Arts, Education, the Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. The Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use is focused on reducing the public health impact of tobacco use globally by implementing proven tobacco control policies in low- and middle-income countries where 80% of tobacco-related deaths occur. For more information, please visit www.mikebloomberg.com.