• The Wall Street Journal, Thursday, February 7, 2008 11:30 AM

Amid aggressive efforts by tobacco companies to push smoking in countries where there has been relatively little effort to discourage it, the World Health Organization is expected to release a report today that may offer a plan for combating tobacco use globally.

The United Nations agency's report was partially funded by New York mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's Bloomberg Philanthropies. The billionaire and former smoker pledged $125 million to a global antismoking campaign in 2006 that was to include pushes for smoking bans and higher taxes in other countries, smoking cessation programs, and systems to monitor global tobacco use and tobacco prevention efforts.

Philip Morris International and other international tobacco giants deny that they are targeting new smokers or seeking to expand in areas with minimal regulation. But they are moving to build sales in countries where populations are growing, more people are joining the middle class and smoking is viewed as a sign of upward mobility. The companies are also developing and promoting new products to attract customers and to adapt to tobacco restrictions.

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