Since the launch of the first National Tobacco Control Program in 2014, the number of daily smokers aged 18 to 75 has decreased by 4 million. The proportion of daily smokers among those aged 18–75 has fallen from 28.6% (2014) to 18.2% (2024). The Ministry of Health, Families, Autonomy, and People with Disabilities, the Interministerial Mission to Combat Drugs and Addictive Behaviors (MILDECA), and Santé publique France welcome this major step forward for public health, made possible by the collective mobilization of all health stakeholders committed to the fight against tobacco.

A marked decline in tobacco use

In 2024, among 18- to 75-year-olds in mainland France, the prevalence of smoking now stands at 25% compared to 32% in 2021, and that of daily smoking at 18% compared to 25% three years earlier.

These trends among adults are consistent with those observed among adolescents, where smoking has declined significantly since the early 2000s, with daily smokers among 17-year-olds representing 15.6% of this population in 2022, compared to 25.1% in 2017. This decline is now also observed among young adults, with 18% of daily smokers among 18- to 29-year-olds in 2024, a sharp drop compared to 2021 (29%). The proportion of people who have never smoked continues to rise, reaching 44% in 2024.

Coordinated action by stakeholders drives historic decline in smoking

Since the launch of the first National Tobacco Reduction Program (PNRT) in 2014, the number of daily smokers aged 18 to 75 has decreased by 4 million. The goal of the 2023–2027 National Tobacco Control Program—to reduce the prevalence of daily smoking to 20% by 2027—was not only achieved but significantly exceeded as early as 2024. The decline observed over the past 10 years is the result of numerous tobacco control measures implemented through successive national plans: plain packaging, increases in tobacco prices, denormalization of consumption through the expansion of smoke-free zones, reimbursement for nicotine replacement therapies, and renewed prevention efforts, notably including the creation of Smoke-Free Month in 2016 and the rollout of programs to strengthen psychosocial skills (CPS).

A significant overall decline, but persistent social and regional inequalities

Nevertheless, smoking remains strongly marked by social and regional inequalities. Indeed, daily smoking remains twice as common among blue-collar workers as among white-collar workers (25% versus nearly 12%), and three times higher among people facing financial difficulties (30% versus 10% among those who report being financially comfortable). Unemployed individuals are also more affected (nearly 30% versus 19% among employed individuals).

At the regional level, the prevalence of daily smoking remains higher in the Grand-Est, Occitanie, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions. The prevalence is significantly lower in the Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions, as well as in the overseas departments and regions (DROM), except for Réunion.

Results consistent with trends in other indicators

These initial findings should be interpreted with caution, as the survey methodology was adjusted in 2024, notably with the introduction of a new online data collection method. However, the results are consistent with other available data. Tobacco deliveries to tobacco retailers fell by 24% between 2021 and 2024. At the same time, sales of smoking cessation aids have risen by 29% since 2021, reflecting a positive trend toward reduced consumption.

The desire to quit smoking and attempts to quit

In 2024, 55% of daily smokers wish to quit smoking. This desire is strongest among those aged 40–49, as well as among individuals with post-secondary education and those in managerial or intermediate professional roles.

In 2024, 17.3% of daily smokers aged 18–79 report having made an attempt to quit for at least one week in the past 12 months. Smokers with higher levels of education, managers, and students are the ones who try hardest to quit, highlighting the importance of prevention and support programs, which must continue to be adapted to better support smokers who are more vulnerable socio-economically.