Jump to full article: Examiner.com (National), 2010-03-02
Author: Tacoma Headlines Examiner Mike Mansfield
Intro: Two of the world’s richest men, with bank balances that rival the gross domestic product of small countries, are joining forces to wage war against a common enemy — the tobacco industry.
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, and Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of New York City, are making a combined investment today of $500 million (£250 million) to try to decrease smoking in countries such as China and India and to help to prevent a “tobacco epidemic” in Africa.
The billionaires, through their eponymous charities, propose to lobby governments in Asia, Africa and South America to increase taxes on cigarettes, implement smoking bans and raise knowledge of health risks. . . .
A $7 million, five-year grant to the American Cancer Society (ACS), which has taken on a more global role recently, will go toward managing a health coalition called the African Tobacco Control Consortium. . . .
Chinese fans are watching the Olympics on TV, puffing on cigarettes in a smoke-filled bar. Suddenly, when the Chinese team scores, they crush out their cigarettes and jump up to cheer. "Love China," says a message on the screen. "Increase patriotism even more. Love a smoke-free Olympics."
That public-service advertisement was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, targeting TV viewers in China during the Olympics.
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