Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, and 108th mayor of New York City announced USD 20 million (approximately Tk 240 crore) Accelerator Fund to jumpstart stalled tobacco control efforts as World Health Organization (WHO) reveals over 7 million 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 officials of the Bangladesh government, youth from Bangladesh and civil society representatives joined the conference with a commitment to build a tobacco-free nation, said PROGGA - Knowledge for Progress.

A press release was issued in this regard.

According to the release, WHO Global Ambassador Bloomberg 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 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 stated. 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.

The loss of lives due to tobacco use stands at a staggering 161,000 each year in Bangladesh. The Dublin Conference has created a tremendous opportunity for Bangladeshi delegates to learn about international best practices and to exchange experiences with others. Bangladesh is one of the first few countries that signed and ratified the WHO FCTC treaty, adopted by the 56th World Health Assembly in 2003. To expedite the implementation of WHO FCTC, Bangladesh adopted its first tobacco control law in 2005, namely Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 and later, amended the aforementioned law in 2013 to make it more time-fitting. The 2013 amendment was later followed by the formulation of Rules in 2015. Very recently, an initiative has been taken to strengthen the law even further and make it more in line with the recommendations of WHO FCTC. The knowledge and strategies gained from this conference will help pave the way toward building a tobacco-free, healthy, and prosperous Bangladesh.

MSK/SMS