Bloomberg Philanthropies to Present Global Tobacco Control Awards at World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Abu Dhabi
Michael R. Bloomberg to Host Ceremony Recognizing Countries Making Strides against Tobacco Use
Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced that the third Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control will take place on Wednesday, March 18th during the World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) in Abu Dhabi. The event will recognize six middle- and low-income countries for momentous strides in combatting the tobacco epidemic.
The award categories are based on the MPOWER package, the most effective demand-reduction tobacco control policies including: Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies; Protecting people from tobacco smoke with smoke-free air legislation; Offering help to quit tobacco use; Warning about the dangers of tobacco with pack labels and mass media, Enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and Raising taxes on tobacco.
Improving global public health by combating tobacco use, which claims some six million lives a year, has been a top priority for Michael R. Bloomberg. In 2003, Bloomberg enacted The Smoke Free Air Act in New York City, which banned smoking in public places and indoors.
Through strategic partnerships and a $600 million investment since 2007, Bloomberg Philanthropies assists governments and supports non-governmental organizations to assure the implementation of these interventions in low- and middle-income countries, which are home to the majority of the world’s smokers.
These successful outcomes have been reached with the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco’s global partners: The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation (CDCF), International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH), World Health Organization (WHO), and World Lung Foundation.  The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is also a critical partner in the Initiative.
The Bloomberg Awards for Global Tobacco Control was first hosted in 2009. This is the 16th World Conference on Tobacco or Health.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ mission is to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Public Health, Environment, Education, Government Innovation and the Arts. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $462 million. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org.