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Two men who have done quite well in achieving success and riches in the business world are teaming up to take on the ill effects of what they are calling a global tobacco epidemic. The people of the world are slated to benefit through an infusion of $500 million to help implement new policies and increase funding for tobacco controls and education around the planet.

Michael Bloomberg, the current mayor of New York City, and Bill Gates of Microsoft fame have announced a joint effort to reduce the ill effects of tobacco. Their concern stems from the fact that unless major measures are taken to re­duce the amount of tobacco usage by the earths populace, some 1 billion people will die from tobacco related illness in the 21st century.

The mayor’s involvement in this area dates back to 2005 with the establishment of the Bloomberg Initiative to Re­duce Tobacco Use to the tune of $125 million. Now a new 4-year commitment brings his total funding to $375 million. Bill and Melinda Gates added $125 million to the effort for a total of $500 million for tobacco curbs. Much of this fund­ing will go to help governments in lower income and developing countries make progress in educating their population away from smoking and by protecting non-smokers from damage through second-hand smoke.

Here is some interesting background on the ravages of tobacco:

• 1 billion people worldwide currently smoke (1 in 4 adults).
• Tobacco kills more people than any other agent.
• Smokers lose an average of 10-15 years from their life expectancy.
• 5 million people are killed by tobacco each year, more than AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria combined.
• 80% of tobacco deaths will be in low- to middle-income countries by 2030.
• 1 billion people may die of smoking in this century.

Both men want to encourage government and business leaders to join them in the fight to run hard-hitting public in­formation campaigns, increase tobacco control programs, ban cigarette advertising and create smoke-free public places. This, however, may be a bit of a hard sell in lower income countries with a high level of smokers where less than $20 mil­lion a year is spent on tobacco controls and over $66 billion is collected in taxes on tobacco.

However, just like in the United States, smoking controls needed to start somewhere. For instance, when New York City went smoke free in 2002, only one state and no countries were smoke-free. Now, 24 states including New York and the District of Columbia have 100% smoke-free restaurants and bars. Countries that have joined in the smoke-free ac­tion include Uruguay, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy and Ireland.

“Tobacco-caused diseases have emerged as one of the greatest health challenges facing developing countries,” said Gates. “The good news is we know what it takes to save millions of lives, and where efforts exist, they are working. We are pleased to join with Mayor Bloomberg, who has made the fight against tobacco a priority in New York City and around the world.”

Source: The Bloomberg Initiative. “Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates Join to Combat Global Tobacco Epidemic.” July 2008. http://www.smartbrief.cominews/aaaa/industryPR-detail.jsp?id=65B48830-3866-4202-9B36-038C730AECD7