[Smoking in France: What is the situation?] / Le tabagisme en France : quelle est la situation ?

ABSTRACT

Tobacco consumption in France is still important. Several reasons explain this a great proximity between the State and the tobacco industry which allows an important lobby up to the highest level of the State, valorization by the elites. Yet things change gradually. The image of tobacco is less positive and the epidemiology of consumption has changed since the early 2000s. While adult consumption remains around 30% of daily smokers, youth consumption is steadily decreasing (41% in 2000 vs. 25% in 2017). Another positive point is the decrease in the number of smokers among general practitioners, 1994 34% vs. 16% in 2015. These points hide the current reality of smoking in France that kills 73,000 people/year and lung cancer rates that literally explode in women. In 20 years, the incidence of lung cancer in women has increased from 5/10,000 people/year to 12/10,000 people years making lung cancer in women the leading cause of cancer deaths from breast cancer. At the same time, men went from 50/10,000 to 40/10,000. Finally, this health impact is responsible for a major financial impact the social cost of tobacco in France is estimated at € 120 billion a year. Faced with these figures, the French policy to fight against tobacco has been reinforced since 2016 with the adoption of the plain packet and a significant increase in the price (+30% in 2 years).