If left unchecked, tobacco use will kill one billion people this century, with more than 80% of those deaths occurring in the world’s developing nations. The Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use is working to promote proven tobacco control policies around the world to help combat this global epidemic.

In 2007, Bloomberg Philanthropies supported the World Health Organization to package and promote six proven policies to reduce tobacco use worldwide. These strategies – including protecting people from tobacco smoke, offering help to quit, raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco through warning labels and public education campaigns, enforcing tobacco advertising bans, and raising the price of tobacco products – are proven to reduce smoking rates. Through strategic partnerships and a $375 million investment, Bloomberg Philanthropies is assisting governments and supporting non-governmental organizations to assure the implementation of these interventions in low- and middle-income countries that are home to the majority of the world’s smokers.

These successful outcomes have been reached with the Initiative’s global partners: the World Health Organization, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the CDC Foundation, the World Lung Foundation, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is also a critical partner in the Bloomberg Initiative.

Since the Initiative began in 2007, 21 countries have passed 100% smoke-free laws, the percentage of people protected from second-hand smoke has increased 400%, and almost four billion people worldwide are now protected by at least one of the six proven tobacco control policies. The battle against tobacco is far from over, but the Initiative and its partners are prepared to continue work that will help save lives around the world.

Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use Awards 500 Grants Since 2007 Apr. 15, 2013 Bloomberg Philanthropies More than 5 billion people - almost 75 percent of the world's population - live in a country that has received a grant from the initiative.

Mayor Bloomberg Celebrates the Local, National and Global Impact of Smoke-Free Air Act on its 10th Anniversary Mar. 27, 2013 NYC.gov Since NYC passed this landmark legislation in 2003, an estimated 10,000 premature smoking-related deaths have been prevented among New Yorkers.

New Legislation to Further Reduce Smoking Rate Mar. 18, 2013 NYC.gov The "Tobacco Product Display Restriction" bill would make NYC the first in the nation to keep tobacco products out of sight in retail stores, with the goal of further reducing the youth smoking rate.

Vietnam Goes Smoke-Free Jul. 24, 2012 Bloomberg Philanthropies On Monday, July 16, the President of Vietnam, Truong Tan Sang, signed into law a comprehensive tobacco control bill. The law mandates 100% smoke-free environments in almost all public places, including restaurants in Vietnam.

Introducing Bill to Require Landlords to Disclose Smoking Policy Apr. 18, 2012 NYC.gov The bill would require owners of residential buildings in NYC to inform prospective tenants and purchasers of their smoking policies.