The health benefits of quitting smoking for former smokers are undeniable. With this in mind, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, in partnership with Santé publique France and the National Health Insurance, has launched the “Moi(s) sans tabac” campaign to encourage smokers to quit for at least 30 days starting November 1. To date, 110,000 people have registered on www.tabac-info-service.fr to participate in the campaign. 17,000 pharmacies are participating. And the number of calls to 39 89, the quit-smoking helpline, has already doubled (6,073 calls handled in October 2016 compared to 3,641 in October 2015).

In addition, to facilitate access to smoking cessation aids (patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, etc.), Marisol TOURAINE has decided to triple the reimbursement for nicotine replacement therapies for all smokers (from €50 to €150 per calendar year per beneficiary): this measure will take effect tomorrow, Tuesday, November 1, 2016.

Marisol TOURAINE stated: "Every year, tobacco kills 73,000 people in France. I have been fighting this scourge vigorously since 2012. With 'Moi(s) sans tabac,' we are taking a new step forward by mobilizing collectively. Half of all smokers want to quit; let’s help them! 110,000 French people are already ready to take up the challenge, and starting tomorrow, Tuesday, November 1, nicotine replacement therapies will also be better reimbursed: the coverage allowance is increasing from €50 to €150 per year for each smoker. This is a major step forward for the 16 million smokers."