World No Tobacco Day – May 31, 2017

cp-journee-mondiale-sans-tabac-290517.pdf

Published on 29 May 2017

Misconceptions about tobacco are seriously harmful to health; a new campaign aims to combat them and promote Tabac Info Service

While 60% of smokers want to quit1, only 400,000 of them actually do so each year. To mark World No Tobacco Day, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health and Santé publique France are launching a national awareness campaign from May 18 to June 30, 2017, to encourage smokers to try to quit. Its goal is twofold: to combat misconceptions by reminding people that smoking is never risk-free, and to promote the interactive smoking cessation support tool, Tabac info service.

Debunking myths: Any amount of tobacco use poses health risks

More than 85% of daily smokers are aware of the main dangers associated with smoking,² but 3 out of 5 do not consider themselves at risk of developing cancer based on their current consumption or smoking history.³ And yet, regardless of age, the number of cigarettes smoked daily, or physical activity, there is no such thing as risk-free tobacco use.The awareness campaign aims to make smokers aware of the reality of the dangers of tobacco by challenging three persistent misconceptions that harm their health:

"Anyway, lung cancer only affects old people!" No, it also affects smokers as young as 35.
"Well, exercising every day cancels out the risks of smoking!" No, it doesn’t “clean” your lungs.
"Oh, come on, four cigarettes a day is fine!" No, it triples the risk of a heart attack.

The campaign runs from May 18 to June 6, featuring posters in local stores, bars, and pharmacy windows, as well as videos shared online and on mobile devices.Starting May 31, the second phase of the campaign focuses on the Tabac info service program to highlight the effectiveness of its support and encourage smokers who want to quit to use it. Radio spots, videos, and banners on the internet and mobile devices promote the various services (3989, website, app) and the new coaching offered by Tabac info service.

Tabac info service: giving yourself the best chance to quit smoking

Because quitting smoking is a real challenge, having support throughout the process is essential. Tabac info service provides effective support to smokers who want to quit. It complements the support provided by healthcare professionals. Four free, interactive tools are available to inform them, answer their questions, connect them with a tobacco specialist, and encourage and support them throughout their journey:

The toll-free hotline 39 89, which received 41,051 calls in 2016;
The website tabac-info-service.fr, which had 3,462,569 unique visitors in 2016;
The new mobile app launched in September 2016, available on smartphones and tablets, which has been downloaded 111,109 times;
The Facebook page, which has 72,968 followers.

¹ 2014 Health Barometer, Santé publique France (formerly INPES).² 2012 International Tobacco Control Survey.³ 2010 Cancer Barometer, Santé publique France (formerly INPES), INCa.