Gates Foundation cuts funding linked to tobacco companies

Some people may wonder why a board member for a unit of one of the world’s largest tobacco companies would plan a campaign for tobacco control in Africa. Bill and Melinda Gates certainly thought it seemed like a conflict of interest.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation withdrew a $5.2 million grant to the International Development Research Center for planned tobacco control work in Africa after learning that chairwoman Barbara J. McDougall has served as a Director of Imperial Tobacco Canada.

The New York Times reports that McDougall’s affiliation with the tobacco company had not been included on news releases about her appointment to the research center. Anti-tobacco activists revealed her industry connection last month.

The Gates said, "We are deeply disappointed by this revelation and feel this conflict is unacceptable as we work to support meaningful tobacco control programs in Africa."

Officials for the research center say they are disappointed, but they understand and respect the Gates’ decision. So do members of the African Tobacco Control Alliance.

Rachel Kitonyo, chairwoman of the African Tobacco Control Alliance, praised the decision. She believes McDougall’s participation would have threatened the integrity of the program as the tobacco industry "seeks to avoid, delay, dilute and defeat laws and policies designed to reduce tobacco use" around the world.

While the Gates will no longer be funding the International Development Research Center on this project, the foundation will continue its work on tobacco control and hopes to partner with other institutions to reduce tobacco use in Africa.

In Africa, tobacco use is more than a health problem – it is also a developmental problem. According to the World Health Organization, money spent on tobacco limits the funds put toward essentials like education, food and medicine.

Notably, the Gates Foundation provided the WHO with $10 million last year for tobacco control in Africa.