According to the World Health Organization, a billion people will die from tobacco in the 21st century, mostly in poor and middle-income countries. Billionaires Bill Gates and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg are stepping up with lots of cash – a combined total of 500 million dollars – to combat tobacco usage and reduce the number of tobacco-related deaths. That’s significantly more than the current $20 million spent on anti-smoking campaigns in poor and middle-income countries.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which mainly focuses on global health, has pledged $125 million over five years to anti-smoking campaigns. Mayor Bloomberg’s foundation has commited $375 million to the cause. The money will be distributed to various groups including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
