We all know that smoking does nothing good for our health. Oh well, maybe, it helps some people keep those pounds away. Still, it does so at the expense of our overall health. But did you know that certain individuals have made it their mission to help people all over the world quit smoking?

Yep, two people by the names of Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg, have donated a total of USD 500 million in between them. Their aim is to help promote a worldwide anti smoking campaign. The U.S. News reports:

Billionaires Bill Gates and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced yesterday that they’ll contribute a combined $500 million to a worldwide antismoking campaign, the New York Times reports. The new campaign, dubbed Mpower, will receive $250 million from Bloomberg’s foundation during the next four years, in addition to $125 million already donated. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation plans to give $125 million during a five-year period. Bloomberg has spoken out against smoking for years, but this is a new effort by the Gates Foundation, the Times reports. The campaign will encourage governments to raise tobacco taxes, ban smoking in public places, outlaw cigarette giveaways and kid-directed advertising, start advertising campaigns against smoking, and offer people help in quitting.

I have to admit, I admire these two people for giving this much to such a worthy cause. Smoking is a dirty habit and a very unhealthy one at that. I smoke and I know how hard it is to quit. I also know that quitting would largely depend on the individual himself. Then again, one would need all the help he can get to quit this nasty habit. Here’s one to Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg!