A new public health campaign launched in France on , aims to encourage smokers to quit. The “Devenir Ex-fumeur” (Become a Non-Smoker) initiative builds on the momentum of the “Mois sans tabac” (Month Without Tobacco) and provides access to free, personalized support through the Tabac Info Service, reachable at .
The campaign arrives as new data from Santé publique France reveals the significant health burden of tobacco use. In , smoking was responsible for over 68,000 premature deaths in France, accounting for 11% of all mortality. This figure, calculated using a revised and updated methodology, confirms tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in the country, although there has been a slight decrease since .
The Continuing Toll of Tobacco-Related Illness
Cancer remains the primary cause of death linked to tobacco, responsible for 55% of tobacco-related deaths among women and 58% among men. One in three deaths from chronic respiratory disease, and one in ten deaths from cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, are attributable to smoking. These statistics underscore the wide-ranging and devastating health consequences of tobacco use.
Shifting Trends in Female Smoking and Mortality
While historically, men have been more heavily impacted by tobacco-related mortality – accounting for 18% of deaths compared to 6% of women – the gap is narrowing. The current mortality rates reflect past smoking habits taken up in youth by both men and women, who are now reaching ages where tobacco-related diseases become more prevalent. However, smoking patterns among women are now converging with those of men, leading to increasingly similar mortality curves.
Regional Disparities in Tobacco-Related Deaths
The impact of tobacco use isn’t uniform across France. The Hauts-de-France, Grand-Est, and Corsica regions exhibit mortality rates attributable to tobacco that are more than 40% higher than those in the Île-de-France, the region with the lowest rates. Overseas territories – Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Guyane – generally show lower mortality rates, likely due to historically lower tobacco consumption. La Réunion is an exception, with rates comparable to those in mainland France.
These regional variations highlight the importance of tailored public health interventions that address local risk factors and smoking behaviors.
France’s Broader Efforts to Curb Smoking
The launch of “Devenir Ex-fumeur” is part of a larger, ongoing effort by the French government to reduce tobacco use. France has struggled with high smoking rates, with over 30% of adults continuing to smoke daily – one of the highest rates in Europe. The government has implemented a range of measures, including progressively increasing taxes on cigarettes, now costing upwards of 12 euros ($14) per pack, and bans on smoking in public places, initially introduced in restaurants, bars, and public buildings in and .
More recently, France introduced a new smoking ban, effective , prohibiting smoking in parks, sports venues, beaches, bus stops, and areas around schools. This expansion of smoke-free zones aims to “denormalize” smoking, particularly among young people, and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.
A Generational Approach to Tobacco Control?
Discussions are underway regarding the potential implementation of a generational tobacco ban, similar to policies being considered in the United Kingdom. This approach would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after a specific date, aiming to create a tobacco-free generation. The concept, however, has faced some resistance, with concerns raised about individual freedoms.
Philippe Bergerot, president of the French League Against Cancer, noted the prevailing mindset in France, stating, “In France, we still have this mindset of saying, ‘What we have is a law that restricts freedom.’” Despite this, public health officials emphasize that the goal is not to ban smoking outright, but to restrict it in places where it could harm health, especially that of young people.
The Health Ministry is particularly concerned about the continued popularity of tobacco among young people, with 15% of 17-year-olds currently smoking. The ongoing efforts to reduce smoking rates reflect a commitment to improving public health and preventing future generations from experiencing the devastating consequences of tobacco use. The black market for cigarettes remains a challenge, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to address both legal and illegal tobacco sources.
