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A new global fund is being launched to help developing countries fend off challenges to tobacco control measures by cigarette makers, the BBC reports.

The $4m (£2.7m) fund is a joint effort by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

They say tobacco control gains are being put at risk by the industry's use of trade agreements and litigation.

But tobacco companies argue they are protecting investments, including intellectual property rights.

The fund has been launched in Abu Dhabi at an international conference on tobacco control.

The former New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg, said: "The significant gains we have seen in efforts to reduce tobacco use are at risk of being undermined by the tobacco industry's use of trade agreements and litigation."

Both philanthropists say the purpose of the targeted fund is to help countries such as Uruguay, which has spent the past five years fighting a challenge by a cigarette company against the use of graphic health warnings on packets.

Australia is also facing a case by the World Trade Organisation and the tobacco company Philip Morris International against its recent law, allowing cigarettes only to be sold in standardised packaging.

Similar laws have now been passed in Ireland - and in the UK earlier this week.

Mr Gates added: "Country leaders who are trying to protect their citizens from the harms of tobacco should not be deterred by threats of costly legal challenges from huge tobacco companies.

"Australia won its first case, which sends a strong message. But smaller, developing countries don't have the same resources."