After the holiday season, many French people are motivated to make New Year’s resolutions right at the start of the year. These commitments may involve a desire to adopt or change daily habits to improve their health and well-being. To support French people in achieving the goals they have set for themselves, Santé publique France offers, through its remote assistance services, a wide range of tools and advice for a healthier life.

Quit smoking with tabac-info-service.fr

Every year, quitting smoking is one of the top resolutions considered by the French. However, following an unprecedented decline in smoking rates between 2014 and 2019, the latest data from the Santé publique France Health Barometer show that prevalence stabilized in 2020 and even increased among women who smoke daily between 2019 and 2021. In 2021, in mainland France, more than 3 out of 10 people aged 18 to 75 reported smoking (31.9%).

To help all smokers who wish to transition to a smoke-free life, Santé publique France offers support, advice, and motivation for success through Tabac Info Service.

In February 2023, Santé publique France will relaunch a campaign featuring testimonials from former smokers and those currently trying to quit. Régine, Elodie, Théo, and Bénaïd share their experiences with quitting smoking on camera. Four stories, four reasons to quit, and for each, a strategy to achieve it (nicotine replacement therapy, professional support, or joining a support group, the Tabac info service app).

The campaign highlights the turning point toward quitting smoking to demystify the process and inspire smokers through video testimonials from former smokers.

Cut back on your alcohol consumption with alcool-info-service.fr

Alcohol consumption has been declining in France for several years. However, alcohol still plays a significant role in the daily lives of French people. Data from the Public Health France Barometer show that nearly one in two French people believe that offering or drinking alcohol is part of good manners.

Regarding alcohol consumption guidelines, 23.7% of the population aged 18 to 75 exceeded them in 2020 (33.5% of men and 14.9% of women), according to data from the Health Barometer.

Several resources and tools are available to help people assess their alcohol consumption and make informed choices to limit health risks.

Since January 9, 2023, Santé publique France, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, has launched the campaign “Good health has nothing to do with alcohol,” which encourages people to question the link between alcohol and good health, to rethink their alcohol consumption, and, if necessary, to seek help through the Alcool Info Service support and counseling program.

This campaign begins just as Dry January—or the January Challenge, led by a coalition of organizations—has kicked off. This initiative, which involves abstaining from alcohol throughout the month of January, was evaluated by the Agency in 2020, which found that it presented a valuable opportunity to manage one’s alcohol consumption.

This is therefore an opportunity to reflect on one’s alcohol consumption and reduce the risks associated with it. The Agency reaffirms its commitment to protecting the public from the health harms of alcohol and encourages everyone to take part in this challenge.

Eat better and get more exercise with manger-bouger.fr

Among the New Year’s resolutions to implement right from the start of the year, changing eating habits, eating a more balanced diet, and exercising are at the top of the list.

Regarding diet, the results of the Esteban study show that less than 30% of adults consume enough fruits and vegetables, dairy products, or fish, and that only 13% of adults eat legumes at least twice a week.
Among children aged 6–17, only 50.7% of boys and 33.3% of girls engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day.

The Manger-bouger website is a resource for anyone looking to improve their eating habits and physical activity.

Protect yourself and others from winter viruses by following preventive measures

Every year, winter viruses cause outbreaks of the flu, gastroenteritis, and bronchiolitis. These three illnesses affect millions of people and place a heavy burden on healthcare systems during the winter. This year, we are seeing the simultaneous circulation of respiratory viruses, with an early start to the flu season, a still very high number of bronchiolitis cases, and the active circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus throughout the country.

What are the simple preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection?

• Wear a mask if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection (cough, fever, body aches, runny nose, etc.);

• Wear a mask around vulnerable people, especially in crowded indoor spaces such as public transportation;

• Greet others without shaking hands or kissing;

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 30 seconds:

  • before preparing, serving, or eating meals

  • after using the restroom

  • after every time you go outside

  • after using public transportation (bus, coach, train, subway), upon arriving at the office or at home

  • after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

  • before and after caring for a baby

  • after visiting someone who is sick

• air out the rooms;

• cough and sneeze into your elbow.

Stay up to date on your vaccinations with vaccination-info-service.fr

Getting vaccinated against an infectious disease means preventing yourself from getting sick and spreading the virus. It means protecting yourself and, more often than not, protecting others too: children, loved ones, neighbors…

In the face of winter viruses and to combat severe forms of the flu and COVID-19, vaccination remains the best protection. Let’s take advantage of this vaccination to bring other vaccinations up to date (vaccines against measles, pneumococcus, etc.).

In addition, vaccination against rotavirus is now recommended to protect infants from gastroenteritis caused by this virus, which is responsible for 20,000 hospitalizations each year among children under 3 years of age.