Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use Awards 500 Grants Since 2007

Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced that the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use Grants Program has awarded 500 grants since 2007. Since its inception, the programme managed by The Union and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has distributed $100 million in grants to more than 70 countries. More than 5 billion people—almost 75 percent of the world’s population—live in a country that has received a grant.

Chile's President Piñera and philanthropist Bloomberg launch new tobacco control law

Chile's President Sebastián Piñera officially launched the country's new comprehensive tobacco control legislation at a ceremony in Santiago on 1 March 2013. The new legislation bans smoking in all enclosed public places and prohibits all forms of tobacco advertising.

Comprehensive tobacco control law signed into force by Russia's President Putin

25 February 2013 - The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) congratulates the Russian Federation on the adoption of a comprehensive tobacco control law, signed into force by President Putin this morning. The law includes establishment of 100% smokefree environments, bans on giveaways and sponsorship, restrictions on point-of-sale displays, and measures to limit tobacco industry interference.

The Union’s new smokefree enforcement course launched in Bangladesh

A significant gap often exists between tobacco control laws as they are written and the way they are enforced on the street.  To help countries improve the implementation of their laws, The Union has developed Smokefree implementation and enforcement, a new 5-day course that was recently piloted in Bangladesh.

Health leaders in Bangladesh warn that designated smoking areas threaten public health

Local and international experts warned this week that designated smoking areas in restaurants and workplaces, as allowed in Bangladesh’s proposed Bill for Amending Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005, will threaten the health of citizens.

Guangzhou Municipal Tobacco Control Office established

In November 2012, the Guangzhou Municipal Government announced the allocation of a tobacco control fund from the city budget and the establishment of a Guangzhou Tobacco Control Office as an independent governmental agency.

Tobacco Control Leadership Programme held in Cairo

Close to 50 participants from government and civil society partners across the Middle East region were selected to participate in the 2012 Eastern Mediterranean Regional Tobacco Control Leadership Programme on 26–30 November in Cairo, Egypt.

International collaboration curbs tobacco promotion at cricket tournaments

Collaboration between The Union and international partners in tobacco control over the past months has been instrumental in upholding a chewing tobacco (gutka) ban at cricket matches around the world this year.

Lebanon has officially become smokefree

On 3 September 2012, Tobacco Control Law 174 ushered Lebanon into a new phase — the last implementation phase of its smokefree policy. Lebanon has officially become 100% smoke free.

Mexico City recognizes The Union’s contribution to public health

The Mexico City Government and Ministry of Health honored the work of The Union Mexico Office during an event on 13 August. The Union’s contribution to tobacco control in Mexico, which began when the Mexico Office was established in 2008, has been important in supporting the government’s efforts to implement the city’s smokefree laws.

Bangladesh Cabinet endorses amendment to the tobacco control law

Monday 27 August/ Dhaka, Bangladesh – After over a year of opposition from the Ministry of Finance, the Cabinet of Bangladesh today endorsed the amendment to the national tobacco control law. The law will now proceed to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs for vetting before going to parliament for debate.

Ministry of Health workshop is the first step towards a national smokefree law in China

For the first time, China's Ministry of Health has taken the lead on the discussion of a national smokefree law. The Ministry organised a workshop on smokefree legislation in Beijing on 30 July 2012 for key officials involved in law-making and experts involved in smokefree promotion.

No place for tobacco: The Union supports smokefree sports

In addition to killing five million people per year, tobacco use impairs physical performance and has no place in sporting culture or at sporting events. The Union has supported tobacco-free sporting mega-events around the world since the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

Lebanon defeats tobacco industry and enforces bans on tobacco advertising

Tobacco control in Lebanon won a battle against the tobacco industry on 12 July when the legislative council of the Ministry of Justice ruled to uphold a ban on indoor tobacco advertising.

High Court of Australia upholds pioneering plain tobacco packaging law

15 August 2102 / Edinburgh, Scotland – In a victory for public health, Australia’s highest court ruled today against a challenge brought by big tobacco on the Australian law requiring plain packaging of tobacco products.  The Union congratulates Australia on this landmark decision.

Vietnam enacts comprehensive tobacco control law

One of the top 15 tobacco-using countries in the world has taken a stand for tobacco control. The Vietnam National Assembly passed the nation’s first comprehensive tobacco control legislation on Monday, 18 June 2012. The new law will come into force on 1 May 2013. The Union has been working with local partners towards the adoption of this tobacco control law since January 2008.

New report on plain packaging of tobacco products in India and Australia

Written by The Australia India Institute Taskforce on Tobacco Control, this report is a comprehensive literature review on plain packaging. It highlights the challenges faced by Australia in introducing and standing firm on implementation of plain packaging  in face of agressive tobacco industry interference.

In huge win for tobacco control, Batsa loses appeal on South African advertising ban

The Supreme Court of South Africa dismissed an appeal brought by British American Tobacco South Africa (Batsa) on 20 June 2012. The appeal sought to overrule sections of the country's 1993 Tobacco Products Control Act that ban tobacco advertising.

Two years after repealing its smoking ban, Bulgaria adopts revised law

On 1 June 2012, a revised law went into effect in Bulgaria that bans smoking in all enclosed public spaces. This is a considerable achievement given that a complete smoking ban was originally passed in 2009, only to be repealed in 2010 due to tobacco industry interests within the incumbent government.

Campaign for China’s first smokefree province launched on World No Tobacco Day

Tobacco control in China moved an important step forward on World No Tobacco Day, when the Guangdong Institute of Public Health launched the first initiative to promote province-wide 100% smokefree legislation. Although there are several cities in China that are promoting smokefree policies, there is no national or provincial smokefree law in place yet. The Institute is part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangdong Province and holds a Bloomberg Initiative grant managed by The Union for this project.

“Protect Russia” training helps build strategies for tobacco control

Enthusiasm for introducing a 100% smokefree ban in Russia has not faded, despite delays created by the extended deadline for adopting the national smokefree legislation. To maintain momentum for the ban, The Union ran a ‘Protect Russia’ training in May that brought together regional tobacco control groups in support of national and sub-national smokefree policy.

World No Tobacco Day 2012: Stop Tobacco Industry Interference

With the theme “Stop Tobacco Industry Interference”, World No Tobacco Day 2012 highlights the critical need to meet head on the aggressive strategies and tactics used by the tobacco industry to dilute, delay and prevent tobacco control policies and measures. 

To assist governments and other agencies involved in tobacco control, The Union has developed a free FCTC Article 5.3 Toolkit: Guidance for Governments on Preventing Tobacco Industry Interference.

The Union launched the Toolkit at a public event in Edinburgh, UK on 31 May 2012.

The Bangladesh tax system and income rises have made smoking more affordable

Argentina moves forward with national and local tobacco control initiatives

Although Argentina has yet to ratify the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC), effective 15 June, health warnings with pictograms will appear on all cigarette packages. This change was mandated by National Law 26687, passed last year, and is expected to help reduce tobacco use in Argentina, where 29% of adults are regular smokers.

Tianjin’s 13 million people will benefit from smoking ban

Tianjin, a Chinese city of 13 million where the adult smoking rate is 27.2%, has passed a regulation to ban smoking in workplaces and indoor public places. It is the second city participating in China’s Seven Cities project to achieve this goal.

Grantees receive awards at tobacco control conference

Tobacco control leaders from Turkey, South Africa and India who have worked closely with The Union as Bloomberg Initiative grantees received awards for their achievements at last month's 15th World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) in Singapore.

Brazil ban on tobacco additives to halt youth smoking

Brazil has adopted the strongest ban on additives in the world. The ban covers all flavourings and additives in tobacco products including menthol, honey, fruit essences, colours and other sweeteners.

Tobacco control one individual at a time

Dr. Mira Aghi, this year’s recipient of the Luther L Terry Award for Outstanding Community Service, discusses her passion for tobacco control at the grassroots level and how gaining in-depth understanding of rural people can lead to better control efforts.

Successful Middle East Region Conference held in Cairo

The 27th Conference of The Union Middle East Region was held jointly with the Egyptian Society of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis meeting in Cairo, Egypt on March 27-30 2012. More than 1,700 participants from the Middle East region and worldwide attended the event.

Strengthening tobacco control leadership in Russia

The Union’s Leadership and Management Course held in Moscow from 28 February to 3 March 2012 highlighted the importance of tobacco control programmes and their impact on the development of national and regional policies.

The Union welcomes Bloomberg Philanthropies’ renewed commitment to global tobacco control

22 March 2012, Paris/Singapore – Philanthropist and New York City Mayor Michel R. Bloomberg announced today an additional commitment of US $220 million to the global fight against tobacco use. 

The announcement, which came at the World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Singapore, will extend funding for the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use (BI) for four more years.  The funds allocated will continue to support tobacco control efforts in low- and middle-income countries where 80% of the world’s smokers live.

Dr. Ehsan Latif of The Union discusses the state of global tobacco control

100-day countdown to a smokefree Harbin

The city of Harbin in China commenced its 100-day countdown until its new smokefree law takes effect on 31 May with a big celebration in February. The event, which included an exhibition and a one-day seminar, aimed to promote the law among Harbin's citizens and to prepare for its implementation by the Municipal Government.

Guangzhou set to treble funds for tobacco control

Government commitment to tobacco control comes in many forms, not least the allocation of additional funding towards improving and implementing legislation. In Guangzhou, China government funding almost doubled from 2009 to 2011 and is set to more than treble in 2012.

Building capacity to protect the public from tobacco exposure

“Awareness to Action through Multi-Channel Advocacy for Effective Tobacco Control in India: Capacity Building in Five Indian States” is a project being implemented by the nongovernmental organisation (NGO) HRIDAY in partnership with the Indian Institute of Public Health-Bhubaneswar (IIPH-B) under a Bloomberg Initiative grant managed by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union).

Progress in Ecuador for Tobacco Control Law: Regulation was issued in February

Ecuador was declared smokefree following the approval of the National Law for Tobacco Control in mid-2011. Building on this success, a further regulation, Decree 1047, was passed in February 2012 to strengthen the law’s implementation, enforcement and effectiveness.

Civil Smoke-Free Day backs efforts to restore smoking ban in Sofia

22 January, Sofia, Bulgaria - Bulgaria's Smoke-free Life Coalition launched the first Civil Smoke-Free Day on 22 January in Sofia City Centre – one of the city's shopping malls. The initiative aimed to generate public support for restoring the complete ban on smoking in Bulgaria, following a government proposal filed with the parliament in December to restore the ban beginning 1 June 2012.

The Economics of Tobacco and Tobacco Taxation in Poland

08 FEB 2012 - A new economic report was released today in Poland detailing the impact of tobacco and tobacco taxation there. Tobacco taxation has been proven to reduce tobacco consumption; and the high rate of smoking among Polish adults (36.9% among men and 24.4% among women) and youth (18.7%) continues to be a concern. 

The report, “The Economics of Tobacco and Tobacco Taxation in Poland” points out that though tobacco taxation in Poland is among the highest in the European Union, the price of tobacco products continues to be among the lowest. According to the report, Poland is among the fastest growing economies in the European Union and as such the affordability of tobacco products will rise unless tobacco taxation and pricing are further scrutinised within Poland and as a member of the European Union. 

The report is one of a series on tobacco taxation funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as part of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use and published by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

New WHO resource outlines steps to implement smokefree cities

Smokefree legislation is a proven cost-effective measure to improve the health of those who live and work in cities. A new resource, “Making Cities Smoke-free”, has been released and intends to support the work of city councils preparing for and implementing smokefree legislation.

Strengthening tobacco control education in medical and nursing schools

The Union piloted a new workshop on integrating and strengthening MPOWER-based* tobacco control education in medical and nursing school curricula late last year. The workshop, which was held from 29 November to 1 December 2011, brought together senior academics such as deans, vice-chancellors and department heads from Bangladesh, China, India and Indonesia, to discuss and plan how to implement, strengthen and expand tobacco control education in their universities.

Bali expects tourists will welcome its new smokefree law

The legislative council of Bali, a major international tourist destination, enacted a 100% smokefree provincial legislation in November 2011 states that public places, workplaces including hotels and restaurants and public transport will be 100% smoke-free, effective May 2012.

The Union congratulates its grantees on a year well done!

This year has seen The Union’s grantees under the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use make important advances in tobacco control.  As acknowledged by a recent five-year report from Bloomberg on the Initiative, country by country, progress is being made towards fulfilling the requirements of the world’s first public health treaty, the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

Announcing Round 11 of the Bloomberg Initiative Grants Program

Project Ideas are now being accepted for Round Eleven of the Grants Program.

The deadline for submission of Project Ideas is 15:00 hours, US Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5 hours) on Monday, 23 January 2012.

Bloomberg Philanthropies: Accelerating the Worldwide Movement to Reduce Tobacco Use

New Resource: Building capacity for tobacco control: training package

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Tobacco Free Initiative and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease have just released a new training package to help strengthen the capacity of Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to fulfil their obligations under the treaty.

Australia’s plain tobacco packaging bill is a “first”

In a worldwide “first”, Australia passed a Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill on 21 November that limits the colour and branding on tobacco packages and also increases the size of graphic health warnings. The new law will take effect in December 2012.

Encouraging five-year progress report on tobacco control

A five-year report highlighting progress under the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use (BI) has been released by the US-based foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies.  Among the findings: 21 countries have passed 100% smokefree laws, and there has been a 400% increase in people protected from second-hand smoke.

Russia drafts a tobacco control law that meets all FCTC requirements

The next 12 months will be crucial to the campaign for tobacco control in Russia. In August, the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development released a comprehensive draft law that has already raised objections from the tobacco industry.

Milestone in tobacco control achieved in Lebanon

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health announced the adoption of a comprehensive tobacco control law in August, which is not only a milestone for the country, but also has the potential to impact similar legislation in other countries in the Middle East region.

Passing the ‘scream test’ in the Philippines – Smokefree Metro Manila

When a tobacco control policy or reform makes the tobacco industry ‘scream’, it passes the ‘scream test’. “Then we know we are on to a good thing,” says Bill Bellew, a technical advisor for The Union. This summer the tobacco industry in the Philippines has been ‘screaming’ over the new smokefree policies of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), a Union grantee under the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use.

Smoking goes down, awareness goes up in Guangzhou

The Guangzhou Regulation on Smoking Control in Public Places took effect in September 2010, and it has already made an impact: the rate of smoking in public places has declined by 5.4%, and the smoking rate among the city’s citizens has decreased overall from 18.6% in 2009 to 17.4% in 2011. Awareness of the tobacco control regulations and penalties has jumped from 38.3% in 2009 (before the regulation was passed) to 79.4% today.

Announcing Round 10 of the Bloomberg Initiative Grants Program

Project Ideas are now being accepted for Round Ten of the Grants Program.

The deadline for submission of Project Ideas is 15:00 hours, US Eastern Daylight Time (GMT -5 hours) on Friday, 12 August 2011.

A Global Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use in low- and middle-income countries was launched in December 2006 and is a competitively awarded grants program, funded by Michael R. Bloomberg. The grants program is managed by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Russia’s ”Healthy Kuban” project includes smokefree health care

Following the passage of a regional decree banning smoking in health-care facilities, the Government of Krasnodar Krai launched a campaign to develop smokefree health-care policies in collaboration with The Union. The ban will be implemented in all types of health-care facilities across this region in southern Russia.

Tobacco control measures cover 1 billion more than in 2008

The Union joined other tobacco control advocates around the world in welcoming the news about measureable gains in tobacco control announced in The WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic released on 7 July in Montevideo, Uruguay.

World No Tobacco Day: awards, speeches, rallies – and real progress

The Union and its grantees received recognition for contributions to tobacco control from the World Health Organization and the governments of Mexico and Pakistan on World No Tobacco Day this year. 

Buenos Aires focuses on smoking danger to pregnant women and mothers

The Buenos Aires Ministry of Health (MOH) emphasised the danger of women smoking during pregnancy at this year’s World No Tobacco Day celebrations in May. The National Programme for Tobacco Control run by the MOH is concerned about the high rate of smokers among pregnant women and new mothers, which according to the Risk Fact National Survey 2009 is estimated to be between 15% and 20%.

Brazil’s ACT participates in World No Tobacco Day events

The statue of the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro was lit up in red on World No Tobacco Day to draw attention to the high incidence of cancer caused by tobacco use.  In addition, the day included the launch of the 11th year of the “No Tobacco, 100% Fashion” campaign to draw attention to tobacco consumption among young women.

World No Tobacco Day: The Union works with more than 30 countries to implement tobacco control treaty

Paris, 30 May 2011 - More than 30 of the world's heaviest tobacco-using countries have advanced towards fulfilling their commitments under the World Health Organization - Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) with technical assistance, training and other support from the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union). This year's World No Tobacco Day 31 May 2011 highlights the importance of efforts to implement the FCTC, the world's first international public health treaty. 

MPOWER brochures now available in six languages

A series of colourful MPOWER brochures that summarise the tobacco control measures recommended by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is now available in six languages. Each brochure provides a summary of the key data and recommendations for implementing one of the measures:  Monitor, Protect, Offer, Warn, Enforce and Raise.  The series was developed by The Union in collaboration with the Bloomberg Initiative partners.  Now online, they will also be available in print soon. 

Click here to download copies. http://www.who.int/tobacco/mpower/publications/en/index.html

Smokefree public places: new commitment from Chinese government

28 April 2011 - In March, the Chinese government announced a new regulation stipulating that 28 types of public places in China will become smokefree. This is a huge step forward for a country where smoking is a cultural norm, despite the fact that 1 million Chinese die of tobacco-related diseases each year.

Nepal Legislature-Parliament passes new tobacco control law

28 April 2011 - Nepal's Legislature-Parliament passed a tobacco control law on Monday, 11 April, which will take effect 90 days after the President endorses it. The bill was presented at the parliament by Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara and includes provisions for graphic health warnings to cover 75% of cigarette packs and other tobacco products. The bill also set out a complete ban on tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship.

Strengthening Tobacco Control in Bangladesh

The Union supports Ecuador in tobacco control laws

Bloomberg Philanthropies applauds China's Next Steps Against Tobacco

07 April 2011 - Bloomberg Philanthropies has welcomed a recent smoking ban imposed on 28 types of venues by the Chinese Ministry of Health, with support from The Union grantee the China Centre for Disease Control.  The ban will protect the population from the harms of second-hand tobacco smoke, where 1 million smokers die each year from tobacco- related diseases and another 100,000 die from exposure to second-hand smoke.  The ban is seen as a major step forward in China’s implementation of the requirements of the World Health Organization’s global treaty on tobacco control.

Technical training has far-reaching impact on tobacco control

22 March 2011 - The Union's tobacco control technical training is having a marked impact on advancing tobacco control policis, according to a recent survey of nearly 400 participant.  Results indicate that the workshops nurture networks, raise awareness of issues and challenges, and equip participants to achieve goals...

15000aDay.org: Online advocacy site for tobacco control launched

15,000 people die from tobacco each day, and 1 million have already died from tobacco use in 2011. To help put an end to this devastating epidemic, the World Lung Foundation (WLF) and its partners have launched 15000aDay.org. The online advocacy effort calls on people to contact their UN representatives and urge them to attend this September's UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases and make tobacco control a public health priority. 

Mayors’ alliance to accelerate sub-national smokefree efforts in Indonesia

7 February 2011 - An alliance of 12 mayors in Indonesia has been established to enact tobacco control legislation at a sub-national level. It was launched in January at a meeting held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and The Union.

Smokefree laws spread to more public spaces in Bangladesh

Smokefree events more frequent in Gujarat

1 February 2011 - Smokefree is slowly becoming the norm at public events in Gujarat, thanks to efforts of the State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC) with the support of The Union. 

Government of Nepal endorses tobacco control directives

1 February 2011 - In December 2010, the Government of Nepal approved a comprehensive tobacco control policy. The policy includes provisions for 100% smokefree public places, bans on tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) and the implementation of graphic health warnings on tobacco packs. 

Smokefree legislation upheld in Turkey

19 January 2011 - An appeal by coffee and tea shop owners in Turkey to exempt them from tobacco legislation that bans smoking in indoor places was turned down on 6 January 2011. The cultural importance attached to Turkish coffee houses has made them a focal point in the struggle between proponents and opponents of the smoking ban.

Brazil to ban the retail display of cigarettes

Port Said becomes Egypt’s second smokefree city

17 January 2011 - The coastal city of Port Said has become the latest Egyptian city to announce a smoking ban, which took effect on 24 December, 2010. It is the second city to ban smoking, only six months after Alexandria declared a similar ban. Both “Smokefree City” campaigns have been supported by The Union through a Bloomberg Initiative grant.

Mexico approves very significant increase in tobacco tax

7 January 2011 - The Mexican Congress ended discussions that lasted nearly a year when it approved a tax increase of seven pesos for all tobacco products on 26 October, 2010. Cigarettes cost from 19 to 24 pesos a pack prior to the increase, so the introduction of the tax raises the prices by up to 37%. Higher taxes have been proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco consumption.

The Union signs 300th Bloomberg Initiative tobacco control grant

22 December 2010 - On 30 November, The Union signed the 300^th tobacco control grant under the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use. This marks a significant milestone for the Initiative, which has been supporting high-impact, evidence-based tobacco control interventions in low- and middle-income countries through a competitive grants programme since early 2007.

Announcing Round Nine of the Bloomberg Initiative Grants Program

17 December 2010 - Project Ideas are now being accepted for Round Nine of the Grants Program. The deadline for submission of Project Ideas is 15:00 hours, US Eastern Standard Time on Friday, 28 January 2011.

Buenos Aires City Smokefree Law Approved

Mexico City, 14 December 2010 - At 10 pm last night, the City Legislature of Buenos Aires overwhelmingly passed a city-wide smokefree law, which will protect its 13 million citizens from the dangers of second-hand smoke. Since July 2010, The Union has been working with the Ministry of Health for the City of Buenos Aires to support the development and adoption of an amended smokefree law...

Sustainable progress towards tobacco control obtained

10 November 2010, Edinburgh UK - A recent progress report on The Union’s tobacco control programme shows that in the past nine months, significant progress has been achieved under several sustainability indicators in the 15 priority countries for tobacco control.

Senior government ministers support tobacco control in Mizoram

15 October 2010, Mizoram INDIA - The north-eastern Indian state of Mizoram has the highest prevalence of tobacco use in the country, but the participation of senior government ministers in the first meeting of the Mizoram Smoke Free Group on 11 August highlights a significant shift.

Tobacco packages in Pakistan now bear picture warnings

30 September 2010, Islamabad PAKISTAN - As of 31 August 2010, all tobacco packages printed for use in Pakistan bear a gruesome photograph of a person with mouth cancer. The law requiring the pictorial health warnings went into effect on World No Tobacco Day, 31 May, and industry had 90 days to shift its production to the picture-based packaging. 

Buenos Aires launches smokefree project with help from The Union

MPOWER Training Supports China CDC Seven Cities Project

30 August 2010, Lanzhou CHINA - The first MPOWER training ever held in China took place in Lanzhou on 23-29 August. The Union, which developed the workshop on key tobacco control measures, supported the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in conducting the training for 21 participants.

Egypt raises tobacco tax to reduce consumption

15 July 2010, Cairo EGYPT - On July 1, the Egyptian government passed a new national tobacco tax that will increase the retail price of tobacco products. The Ministry of Finance, the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health worked together, under a Bloomberg Initiative grant managed by The Union, to build support for the tax, which is expected to reduce consumption of tobacco.

Union helps prepare for smokefree 2014 Olympics in Russia

21 June 2010, Moscow RUSSIA - Tobacco control advocates in Russia are gearing up for the smokefree 2014 Winter Olympics and Para-Olympics in Sochi. The Union and partners conducted a site visit to Sochi in preparation for the Olympics-related smokefree campaign.

World No Tobacco Day News

31 May 2010 - Union grantees and partners around the world marked World No Tobacco Day on 31 May as new tobacco control legislation went into effect and tobacco control advocates increased efforts to raise awareness, train new supporters and help end the tobacco epidemic.

The Union marks World No Tobacco Day as a critical point in the “Year of the Lung”

Health Worker Guide launched by India's National Tobacco Control Programme

19 May 2010, New Delhi INDIA - As part of India’s tobacco control effort, a guide developed by the Directorate General of Health Services in collaboration with The Union will be used to sensitise some one million community health workers. Public education is a critical component of India’s ‘National Tobacco Control Programme’. While needed at all levels, community health workers play a vital role in creating public awareness and influencing behaviour change as they have grassroots access through the primary health care system.

2009 News

Catch up on 2009 news