Hope Mafaranga

  An investigation by global tobacco industry watchdog STOP has resulted in the addition of 25 new organizations to its  Tobacco Industry Allies database . The database, launched in 2019, now includes 135 groups across 33 countries.   The tobacco industry are allies are categorized under ‘Third Party’, ‘Front Group’ or ‘Astroturf’ using  definitions outlined by STOP . All these groups have some form of link to the tobacco industry. The investigation demonstrates that these organizations are increasing in number and are being created across the globe and at every stage in the tobacco supply chain.    Many of the newly added allies promote newer nicotine and tobacco products while others are retailer associations, business groups and farmer “advocates.”   The database permits you to search tobacco industry allies by name, location, or classification. It also gives you the option to easily share information with your networks.

  The Global Fund warmly welcomes the decision by the United Kingdom to renew its strong commitment to help end AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and strengthen health and community systems around the world.   Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell announced a pledge of GBP 1 billion to the Global Fund for the coming three-year period.   “We are incredibly grateful to the United Kingdom for this renewed commitment to accelerate progress toward ending HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, and strengthening health and community systems everywhere,” said Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “Over the past 20 years, British taxpayer support has helped save 50 million lives.  The UK’s new GBP 1 billion pledge is instrumental to helping us save millions more lives, get back on track following the reversals from COVID-19, and strengthen global health security.”   The new pledge comes on top of the record-breaking US$14.25 billion raised by the Global Fund last September in New York at