Every year, No Tobacco Month mobilizes thousands of smokers across France to encourage them to quit smoking for 30 days. Inspired by the British Stoptober campaign, the initiative aims to reduce the prevalence of smoking, the leading cause of preventable premature mortality in the country. In 2015, tobacco was responsible for 13% of deaths in France, and its social cost reached 156 billion euros in 2019[1].
A largely favorable return on investment
According to a study conducted by Public Health France in collaboration with the OECD[2]No Tobacco Month is not only beneficial for public health, but also economically advantageous. Between 2016 and 2020, an estimated 2 million attempts to quit smoking were directly linked to this campaign, with a participation rate of daily smokers varying from 2.5% to 4.8% per year.
By 2050, projections show that the initiative would avoid:
- 241,000 cases of lower respiratory infections;
- 28,000 cases of cancer attributable to tobacco;
- 18,000 cases of cardiovascular disease.
This success is not limited to health. Over the period 2023-2050, No Tobacco Month could save 94 million euros per year in health costs and improve employment and productivity by 85 million euros per year. With an annual cost of 12.5 million euros, this campaign offers a return on investment of 7 euros for 1 euro invested, or even 14 euros if we include the consequences on the labor market[3].
An effective and structured approach
No Tobacco Month is based on a social marketing model. The 30-day cessation threshold is strategic: it corresponds to a period at the end of which withdrawal symptoms significantly decrease, increasing the chances of definitive cessation by five. In addition to awareness campaigns, concrete tools are made available to participants: consultations with professionals, cessation assistance kits and support via applications such as Tabac Info Service[4].
Since its launch in 2016, more than 1.34 million French people have registered for this operation. For example, 20% of participants were still non-smokers six months after stopping, according to a Public Health France barometer.[5].
Results that call for reinforced continuity
Smoking remains a major public health challenge, with a rate of daily smokers of 24.5% among 18-75 year olds in 2022. While the figures for No Tobacco Month are encouraging, experts emphasize that its effects could be amplified with better inclusion of the most vulnerable populations, particularly people with disabilities or those in great precariousness[6].
The OECD and Public Health France point out that this type of operation contributes to promoting the health of populations, while protecting the healthcare system. Maintaining and strengthening No Tobacco Month is therefore essential to continue to reduce health inequalities and the costs associated with smoking.
©Tobacco Free Generation
RK
[1] https://www.lequotidiendumedecin.fr/actu-medicale/sante-publique/mois-sans-tabac-les-personnels-en-situation-de-handicap-intellectuel-un-public-peu-sensible-la (accessed on 13/11/2024)
[2] Devaux, M. et al. (2023), “Evaluation of the national tobacco control program in France”, OECD Health Working Papers, no. 155, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/b656e9ac-fr. (accessed 11/13/2024)
[3] Guignard R, Devaux M, Nguyen-Thanh V, Lerouge A, Dorfmuller Ciampi M, Cecchini M, et al. Health and economic evaluation of Month Without Tobacco: a positive return on investment. Bull Epidemiol Weekly. 2024;(22):492-8. http://beh.santepubliquefrance.fr/beh/2024/22/2024_22_1.html (accessed 11/13/2024)
[4] https://www.generationsanstabac.org/fr/fiches/mois-sans-tabac-usage-du-marketing-social-dans-la-lutte-antitabac/ (accessed 11/13/2024)
[5] https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/revues/articles-du-mois/2019/de-stoptober-a-mois-sans-tabac-comment-importation-une-campagne-de-marketing-social (accessed 13/ 11/2024)
[6] Ben Lakhdar C, Massin S, Ngugen S, for the regional delegation of Nous aussi. Tobacco consumption and vaping among people with intellectual disabilities: a survey in Hauts-de-France. Bull Epidemiol Weekly. 2024;(22):498-505. http://beh.santepubliquefrance.fr/beh/2024/22/2024_22_2.html (accessed 11/13/2024)
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