A key component of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use (BI) is a grants programme jointly managed by The Union and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) that focuses on low- and middle-income countries with the greatest number of tobacco users. This programme support projects that develop and deliver high-impact, evidence-based tobacco control interventions. It is designed to build their country's capacity for tobacco control and run tobacco control programmes that have an immediate, but also ongoing and sustainable impact on this critical public health problem.

 

Fifteen developing countries that are home to nearly 80% of the world's tobacco users have been targeted as the priority countries for support. Listed in order of priority, they are China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Ukraine, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Poland.

 

Bloomberg Initiative grants offer project funding for one to two years and range from US$ 50,000 per year for a project such as a short-term advocacy campaign to US$ 500,000 per year for a comprehensive tobacco control initiative.

•  Priority is given to projects that lead to sustainable improvements in tobacco control laws, regulations, policies and programmes at the national or sub-national level, including: Tax and price measures, including anti-smuggling measures.
• Direct and indirect advertising bans and effective enforcement of bans, including promotion and sponsorship.
• Establishment of smokefree workplaces and public places, and effective enforcement of smokefree policies
• Implementation of graphic warning labels on tobacco products
• Other evidence-based regulatory/legislative initiatives.

 

The grants programme also supports, where improving tobacco policy is their central goal:

•  Development of strategic alliances and coalitions
• Monitoring Industry behaviour and practices

 

The first BI grants were awarded in 2007. Since then, there have been eight more rounds of grants, and The Union has managed over 110 projects approved in 33 countries. Across the whole grants programme, there have been over 300 grants awarded, reaching more than 52 countries; the 300th BI grant was awarded to a Union grantee in India in December 2010. In the summer of 2011, decisions will be announced regarding Round 9 grants.

 

For more information, including application details and examples of grants, [click here].