Bill Gates and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg are outraged at how many people in the world are still smoking, so they've made a pledge to invest $500 million in campaigns to get people around the world to butt out.
The billionaires are outraged that tobacco is projected to kill around one billion people in the 21st century, double that of the last century.
What's interesting is that the new numbers come mostly from countries with mid-level to poor economies like Russia and Bangladesh.
Over the next five years, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will donate $125 million and Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, will give $250 million to supplement his previous $125 million gift through the Bloomberg foundation.
“I'm an optimist, but I'm also a realist,†Bloomberg told Gates.
“All the money in the world will never eradicate tobacco, but this partnership underscores how much the tide is turning against this deadly epidemic.â€
The $500 million campaign will be referred to as “Mpower.â€
“It will urge governments to sharply raise tobacco taxes, prohibit smoking in public places, outlaw advertising to children and cigarette giveaways, start antismoking advertising campaigns and offer people nicotine patches or other help quitting,†the NY Times explains.
Stay tuned for some innovative ways to quite smoking!
Photo Source
$500 Million Anti-Smoking Campaigns
Bill Gates & Michael Bloomberg MPower
Trend Themes
1. Anti-smoking Campaigns - The $500 million Mpower campaign aims to leverage technology and social media to promote anti-smoking and public health messages globally.
2. E-cigarettes - As an alternative to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are gaining in popularity and may soon play a greater role in tobacco cessation efforts.
3. Behavioral Economics - The use of behavioral economics, such as changing the social norms around smoking, can create innovative anti-smoking campaigns that are more effective than traditional approaches.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - As the Mpower campaign and other anti-smoking efforts grow, the healthcare industry is expected to benefit from reduced rates of tobacco-related diseases and illnesses.
2. Advertising - With an increased focus on changing the social norms around smoking and promoting anti-smoking messages, the advertising industry can develop innovative campaigns that utilize technology and social media to reach a global audience.
3. Public Policy - As governments are urged to finalize anti-smoking regulations, the public policy industry will play a key role in shaping and enforcing those regulations.