Philanthropists Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg, New York City's mayor, announced in July a $500-million commitment to fight global tobacco use, especially in developing nations, where the burden of addiction is more costly. The money will support tobacco-control efforts, such as increasing cigarette taxes, modifying tobacco's advertising image and helping people quit.
Number of tobacco users worldwide: 1 billion
Number in China: 350 million
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Annual number of deaths worldwide: 5 million
Average number of years of life lost by a smoker: 15
Percent of tobacco-related deaths by 2030 that will be in low- and middle-income countries (for which tobacco data are available): 80
Population of these countries: 3.8 billion
Amount collected by these countries in annual tobacco taxes: $66.5 billion
Amount they spend on tobacco control: $14 million
SOURCES: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; World Health Organization
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