A Month to Quit Smoking

#MoisSansTabac, a national and local campaign to help people quit smoking, has attracted nearly 95,000 participants this year. Driven by a collective effort, smokers are invited to quit smoking together for one month in November. In fact, a month without tobacco increases the chances of quitting for good by five times. After 30 days of abstinence, the addiction is significantly weaker and withdrawal symptoms (nervousness, irritability) are less pronounced.

#MoisSansTabac is an initiative that brings people together, but above all, it is a program that has proven its effectiveness. The first four editions of #MoisSansTabac recorded over 784,000 registrations, including more than 200,000 in 2019. The campaign has contributed to the historic decline in the proportion of smokers in France, as part of the National Tobacco Control Program (PNLT). Thus, from 2014 to 2019, the number of daily smokers decreased by 1.9 million.

Former smokers take center stage in the 5th edition of #SmokeFreeMonth

For this 5th edition, Santé publique France is launching a major campaign highlighting former smokers who quit thanks to their participation in #MoisSansTabac. The goal is to use testimonials, profiles, and anecdotes to recreate the spirit of solidarity that contributes to the campaign’s success every year.

Through several short videos aired on television, online, and on social media, former participants share their experiences with quitting smoking: how they quit, their journey, and their successes during previous editions.
Year after year, the #MoisSansTabac campaign helps build a community for which maintaining connections is essential to successfully overcoming the urge to smoke.

Despite the health crisis and the inability to organize public events, Santé publique France is also strengthening its support system for participants and launching its new support program: “40-Day Program.” A true coaching tool, it consists of two phases: 10 days of preparation and 30 days of challenge. Every day, Santé publique France offers advice, activities, and challenges to support participants. Available in the #MoisSansTabac kit, in the #MonProgrammeSansTabac stories on the Tabac info service Instagram page, or via email, the public will receive a daily motivational boost.

A wide range of tools, developed by Santé publique France, also help reinforce this collective momentum:

1. The tabac-info–service.fr website, a major resource for smoking cessation support. It has been redesigned to make navigation and access to information easier through more relevant and concise content.

2. The Tabac info service e-coaching app, designed by the French Health Insurance System in partnership with Santé publique France and with the support of the Francophone Society of Tobacco Control, offers a 100% personalized e-coaching program, tips, advice, and mini-games, supportive videos, and daily tracking of the benefits of quitting (savings and health).

3. The 39 89 helpline connects smokers with smoking cessation professionals. This telephone consultation is a completely free support service offering personalized follow-up.

4. Santé publique France invites participants to follow them on social media. By following their Facebook and Twitter pages and the brand-new Instagram account @tabacinfoservice, smokers can find daily support within the community, along with useful information and advice to help them navigate the withdrawal phase.

5. A smoking cessation kit including the 40-day program, a savings wheel, and a coloring sheet.

Major French media groups are stepping up!

To further promote the success stories of former smokers, this year once again, the major French media groups are participating in the #MoisSansTabac campaign by sharing messages of support for smokers. Three ambassadors—one female host and two male hosts—are embodying this year’s challenge - Anaïs Grangerac (TF1), Alex Goude (France Télévision), and Dominique Chapatte (M6) - by mobilizing within their networks and meeting with former smokers: through 11 TV spots, the hosts talk with former smokers about their journey to quit, the challenges they faced, and tips for staying strong.

“I was thrilled to be asked to participate in this project and, in my own way, to positively encourage initiatives around ‘Smoke-Free Month.’ This multi-channel campaign shines a new spotlight on an initiative that has been very successful for several years. This ‘Smoke-Free Month’ initiative conveys a caring message to support and accompany smokers without demonizing cigarettes. It also shows them that they’re not alone.
Numerous activities and surprises are organized to help smokers feel less guilty and quit smoking… in the gentlest way possible!” Anaïs Grangerac.

“Tobacco has always been an integral part of my childhood... My father was a heavy smoker, while my mother and I couldn’t stand it, and I always swore I’d never subject my children to that: the smoke, the yellowed walls and curtains, the ever-present odors, the illness... Even when I had to smoke for a theater scene, I really didn’t make a splash—my psychological block was that immense—and I remember, like just about everyone else, that the first time I tried it, I found it unbearable and disgusting. Why, despite that, do we keep coming back to it? Do we become addicted? Do we constantly need to reach for the “forget-it” cigarette, the stress-relief cigarette, the after-dinner cigarette, the pleasure cigarette, and so on? I was lucky enough not to “fall” into this drug—because that’s what it is—and I know so many friends who have suffered from it, sometimes very seriously, that if my support can be of any help at all, even if it’s just to help one person quit, then it’s worth it. I know how hard it is to break free from this spiral, but it is possible, and I hope that with all the stories we’re sharing, people won’t see their hopes go up in smoke.” Alex Goude.

“Smoke-Free Month is a campaign I was eager to participate in! I’m lucky to have three healthy children; I quit smoking over 30 years ago, and yet the ravages of tobacco have surrounded me my whole life… so it’s important for me to send a message of encouragement to everyone who wants to quit smoking. Don’t give in, and above all, lean on the professionals at “Smoke-Free Month”—they’re there to support you!! And congratulations in advance!!” Dominique Chapatte.