The project was backed by French President Jacques Chirac and is also supported by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. The money made will go to international fund, Unitaid, who will buy medication for poor countries to help fight Aids, Malaria and TB, which, according to the French foreign ministry, are the three major diseases that kill between six and eight million people each year.
Following the March conference in Paris, 10 other countries agreed to participate in the venture: Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Congo, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nicaragua and Norway. Gabon has since also signed up and introduced the tax alongside France. However many countries, including Germany, USA and Canada, along with the majority of airlines are against the plan arguing that it is unfair on airlines which are currently enduring rising fuel prices. The UK has stated that it is in favour of the plan but already charges a similar tax to raise money for debt relief.
