The Bloomberg Initiative

For two years, WLF has been one of five partners involved in the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use. Established by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in 2006 and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bloomberg Initiative implements a multi-sectoral program to help countries with high rates of tobacco use make progress toward reducing their tobacco-related health burden.

WLF's Bloomberg Initiative partners:

• International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union)
• Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• World Health Organization (WHO)

WLF provides grants to the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA), an international coalition of more than 260 tobacco control organizations that advocate for adherence to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This international public health treaty obligates governments to adopt evidence-based measures to curb tobacco use.

WLF is also a proponent of WHO's MPOWER package of six tobacco control actions proven to reduce tobacco use and is actively engaged in work to carry out these activities:

•  Monitor the epidemic and prevention policies
•  Protect people from secondhand smoke
•  Offer help to quit tobacco use
•  Warn about the dangers of tobacco
•  Enforce bans on tobacco advertising and promotion
•  Raise taxes and prices

In 2007 and 2008, WLF received a combined $58.5 million in a two-year commitment from Bloomberg Philanthropies. These funds supported a major international grants program managed by The Union, as well as activities by WHO and FCA. In 2008, WLF disbursed about $33 million in BI grant funding through these key organizations.
 
The Foundation also provides technical assistance and financial support for the development, implementation and evaluation of tobacco control mass media campaigns. In 2008, WLF was active in 13 priority countries, successfully assisting with the launch of campaigns in six. Campaigns supported smoke-free policies by warning against secondhand smoke dangers, and used graphic images to depict the health dangers of smoking.