Summary

The fight against tobacco remains a public health priority today, with nearly 12 million daily smokers in France in 2021.

As part of its mandate, Santé publique France estimates and monitors smoking prevalence, which enables the adjustment and steering of public policies implemented in the fight against tobacco use. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death as well as the leading risk factor for cancer [1]. In France, following an unprecedented decline in smoking between 2016 and 2019, prevalence has stabilized, with regional variations [2].

In Martinique, the 2021 Santé publique France barometer data presented in this epidemiological report—intended for regional stakeholders—provide key regional indicators for planning and evaluating local tobacco prevention policies.

Daily smoking:

• Nearly 12% of people aged 18–75 reported smoking daily.

The prevalence of daily smoking was lower in 2021 compared to 2014 (-3.5 percentage points, p<0.05) [3].

A significant decrease in the prevalence of daily smoking was observed among women (from 11% to 7%, p < 0.05) and among men, though not significantly (from 21% to 17%).

By age, trends were downward among those under 60: from 22% to 17% among 18- to 30-year-olds, from 22% to 18% among 31- to 45-year-olds, and from 11% to 9% among 46- to 60-year-olds. A slight upward trend was observed among those aged 61–75 (from 5.5% to 6.5%). None of these changes were statistically significant.

Finally, unlike most regions in France, the prevalence of daily smoking did not vary by income level in Martinique (between 12% and 13%).

Desire to quit and attempts to quit:

• The desire to quit smoking was reported by 67% of daily smokers, and 45% had attempted to quit within the past year.

Vaping:

• 17% of those aged 18–75 reported having tried vaping; this rate was higher among men (21% versus 13% among women) and among those aged 18–30 (40%). Only 0.7% of those aged 18–75 reported daily vaping; this rate was 1.1% among those aged 18–30.

* at least 6 drinks on a single occasion