Michael Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, announced USD 20 million (TK 240 crore) Accelerator Fund to jumpstart stalled tobacco control efforts as World Health Organization (WHO) reveals over 70 lakh people die annually from tobacco use.
On Monday, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the substantial funding boost at Dublin's World Conference on Tobacco Control, targeting countries where anti-tobacco progress has plateaued.
This year, several delegates, including high-level government officials, civil society representatives, and youth advocates from Bangladesh, joined the conference with a commitment to build a tobacco-free nation.
Bloomberg, also founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, declared the initiative would 'jumpstart more lifesaving work around the world' whilst recognising governments and NGOs from six nations making exceptional strides against tobacco epidemic.
The funding comes as WHO's Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report reveals stark progress gaps despite remarkable achievements.
Over 610 crore people, three-quarters of global population, now benefit from WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures, up from just one billion in 2007.
However, forty countries still lack any best-practice measures whilst over thirty permit cigarette sales without mandatory health warnings.
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"The global tobacco control movement has helped save tens of millions of lives, making it one of the most successful public health efforts in history," Bloomberg said.
His Bloomberg Initiative has already resulted in 82,000 crore fewer cigarettes sold in 2024 compared to 2012, saving an estimated 35 crore 20 lakh lives.
Recipients of 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards include India's Ministry of Health for establishing national quit lines handling 50 thousand monthly calls, Mauritius for becoming Africa's first country adopting plain packaging, and Mexico for implementing 100% advertising bans. Montenegro achieved 73% tobacco tax increases from 2017-2024, whilst Philippines developed surveillance models and Ukraine maintained 80-85% smoke-free compliance.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that 'tobacco industry continues to evolve' as rising interference threatens established policies. Despite progress, 110 countries haven't run anti-tobacco campaigns since 2022, and only 33% globally access cost-covered cessation services.