Common Misconceptions and Tabac Info Service at the Heart of the New May 31 Campaign

While all tobacco use carries real risks, certain specific factors—such as playing sports, being young, or smoking only occasionally—tend to suggest otherwise. However, these misconceptions only exacerbate the dangers faced by smokers and harm their health and well-being. 70% of those surveyed in the 2010 Cancer Barometer still believe that "playing sports cleanses the lungs," and 35% of smokers believe that tobacco use can only cause cancer if one smokes heavily and for a long time. In reality, smoking-related cancers can develop as early as age 35.

From May 23 to 31, the first phase of the campaign aims to debunk these misconceptions by providing the correct answer:

• No, lung cancer doesn’t only affect older adults. It also affects smokers as young as 35. Yes, 35;

• No, exercising every day does not protect smokers from cancer: it does not clean their lungs;

• No, smoking “only” 4 cigarettes a day is not risk-free. In fact, it triples the risk of a heart attack.

The campaign will be featured in tobacco shops, local stores, and bars through posters and via banners displayed online and on mobile devices. Starting May 31, radio spots reminding listeners of the single helpline number 3989 and the mobile app will air; online, videos and banners will promote the various services offered by the Tabac Info Service.

A smoke-free life thanks to the support of Tabac Info Service

Because quitting smoking is a real challenge, the Tabac Info Service program offers genuine support to smokers who want to stop using tobacco. Three interactive tools are available to them:

• The toll-free hotline 39 89 received 34,866 calls in 2015;

• The website tabac-info-service.fr: 2,469,304 unique visitors in 2015;

• The mobile app, available on smartphones and tablets, was downloaded 514,731 times.

In addition, the e-coaching program offered via the website and app has 248,801 registered users.