The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World is an independent, U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3), global grantmaking organization with the purpose of improving global health by ending smoking in this generation. To achieve this mission, the Foundation focuses grantmaking and charitable activities in three categories: health and science research aimed at helping smokers quit or switch to less harmful products, industry transformation, and agricultural diversification in Malawi. In support of its mission, the Foundation’s industry transformation efforts focus on attaining change within the global tobacco industry and nicotine ecosystem.

The Tobacco Transformation Index® research platform is a tool, the first of its kind, which complements the Foundation’s research agenda as a change agent. Its theory of change is predicated on the forces of competition, differentiation, and constructive engagement. The Index is not an end in itself, but acts as a potential accelerant by indirectly influencing company behavior in a manner in line with the Foundation’s mission.

The Foundation believes that the forces of competition, differentiation, and constructive engagement are part of the solution, in addition to policy prescriptions. The record shows that implementation of policy strategies alone is not achieving the degree and speed in the reduction of the prevalence of cigarette smoking that is desired.