Smoking kills over 5.4 million people each year, more than tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS combined. The World Health Organization's sombre estimations show that twenty years from now, the death toll will exceed eight million a year, and that during this century, one billion people will die from tobacco.

It's time to take action, billionaires Bill Gates and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg decided, as they announced plans for an antismoking campaign. The billionaires' foundations will contribute with a total of $500 million for raising awareness against smoking, for increased tobacco taxes, for banning smoking in public places and more.

Tobacco is a silent killer, and a threat to millions of smokers and non-smokers worldwide. Secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems, such as cancer, respiratory infections and asthma, and kills almost 40,000 people every year.

“All the money in the world will never eradicate tobacco,” said Bloomberg, according to The New York Times. “But this partnership underscores how much the tide is turning against this deadly epidemic” he added.

Bloomberg's foundation will contribute with $250 million over the next four years, in addition to a previous contribution of $125 million, while Bill Gates' foundation will bring an extra $125 million over a five-year period.

The interesting thing about this campaign is that it is intended to break boundaries, and it will be interesting to watch if the initiative of two billionaires is capable of changing rules in third world countries as well.

Tobacco use doesn't have immediate effects on our health, but it slowly contributes to life-threatening diseases that we should be aware of. The worst thing about this widespread phenomenon is that is preventable, it is a matter of choice. What do you choose?