Bloomberg $1.58B Funding Undermines WHO Tobacco Policy

Analysis finds Bloomberg's $1.58B donations to WHO and Vital Strategies push a prohibitionist agenda, blocking tobacco harm‑reduction.
Bloomberg‑backed groups funded MPOWER, prompting India’s e‑cigarette ban and Pakistan’s 154% tax hike in 2023, sparking a 44% illicit trade surge.
Similar policies in US states (Massachusetts, San Francisco) caused a 22% drop in cigarette tax revenue and increased youth smoking.
The piece urges evidence‑based, balanced tobacco control, calling on the FCTC to drop Bloomberg‑driven mandates and support harm‑reduction alternatives.