Tobacco Control: Bloomberg Philanthropies launches `STOP’, invests $20m

Tobacco Control: Bloomberg Philanthropies launches `STOP’, invests $20m
NAN-HG-5
Smoking
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, March 8, 2018 (NAN) Sir Michael Bloomberg, a former New York City Mayor and Bloomberg philanthropies, have launched a global watchdog, titled Stopping Tobacco Organisations and Products (STOP).
Bloomberg has also earmarked a U.S. $20 million (about N7bn) to fund the campaign globally.
This is contained in a statement issued by Matilde Moreno, Media Liaison Officer at the ongoing I7th World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Cape Town, South Africa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bloomberg and his philanthropies made the announcement at the conference as part of efforts towards tobacco control.
NAN reports that Bloomberg, a three-term Mayor of New York City, is the founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies.
STOP, a new global watchdog, would aggressively monitor deceptive tobacco industry tactics and practices to undermine public health.
The watchdog is expected to deliver regular reports detailing tactics and strategies both at global and country-level, and would provide tools and training materials for countries to combat big tobacco’s influence.
Bloomberg stated that they could not stand by and watch the industries mislead the public in their effort to get people hooked on their products.
“Over the last decade tobacco control measures have saved nearly 35 million lives, but as more cities and countries take action, the tobacco industry is pushing to find new users, particularly among young people.
“For decades, tobacco giants have tried to deceive the public with duplicitous tactics.
“This global watchdog will help us hold the industry accountable,” Bloomberg said.
He said that Philip Morris International (PMI) had recently provided the initial $80 million of funding to ‘Foundation for a Smoke-Free World’.
Bloomberg stated that it was a move seen by many public health experts as a thinly veiled effort to legitimise the tobacco industry and allow them access to the policy-making table.
“In addition to aggressively marketing its combustible cigarettes to children and teenagers in low and middle-income countries, the industry is pushing alternative products, such as `heat-not-burn’ and `e-cigarettes’ as cessation devices.
“Tobacco industry-funded research has repeatedly been a smokescreen for behaviour that has led to worse outcomes for smokers.
“Supposedly safer low-tar and filtered cigarettes led to greater numbers of smokers, deeper inhalation patterns, and or higher daily consumption – all worsening public health worldwide,” he said.
He stated that with the initial $20 million investment, STOP would divide resources between robust monitoring and reporting of industry behaviour, and combating the false narratives so often created on the ground.
Dr Kelly Henning, Director of Public Health Programmes, Bloomberg Philanthropies, said they already have the tools to succeed the fight against tobacco.
“We have made huge progress over the past two decades and we can continue to make massive inroads in reducing the ill health and suffering from tobacco use.
“STOP will commit itself to exposing this industry wherever it wields its considerable resources to influence government policy.
“It will help whenever it distracts from proven interventions by promoting unproven alternative products as a solution; and whenever it gains access to the public debate using false and misleading science,” Henning said.
Henning said that Bloomberg has committed nearly $1 billion to combat tobacco use worldwide.
“Its initiative to reduce tobacco use is aimed at reducing the global demand for tobacco through a comprehensive, proven approach that combines policy change with increased public awareness.
“This include creating smoke-free public places, banning tobacco advertising, increasing taxes on tobacco products, requiring graphic pack warnings and supporting hard-hitting mass media campaigns.
“Of the 121 countries that have at least one MPOWER measure in place, 66 have received funding from the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use.
“Since 2007, Bloomberg Philanthropies has helped save nearly 35 million lives through these efforts,” according to him.
Dr Tedious Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said STOP was a warning call to Big Tobacco that they are on notice.
“The World Health Organisation and our partners will not accept efforts to undermine the huge successes in tobacco control that we have achieved over the past few decades. There is no going back,” he said.
NAN reports that STOP would ensure findings are made public and fully aligned with Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
It is expected to liaise with Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use to supplement country-level grants in assisting nonprofits and governments to push back strongly against interference by Big Tobacco. (NAN)
TAA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola