[Policy and routine practice for smoking cessation in France]

Abstract

In France, daily tobacco consumption increased among adults between 18 and 75 years between 2005 and 2010, particularly women. At 17 age-old, it raised 10% between 2008 and 2011 (32.7% in boys and 30.2% in girls). The number of cigarettes smoked per day decreased between 2005 and 2010 in France, from 15.4 to 13.9 cigarettes smoked per day. But active exposition to cigarette smoke and consequently to cigarette toxins exposure did not change and even increased. Tobacco prevention should follow the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which was signed in 2004 by French representatives. Smoking cessation methods include: minimal counseling provided by general practitioners (when given during a medical visit for another motive than smoking cessation, one out of 50 smokers stops); minimal counseling given by any health professional; and the smoking cessation services framework. Evidence-based medications associated with a non-pharmacologic support and with a regular follow-up significantly increase smoking cessation rates. Risk reduction by decreasing progressively tobacco consumption with the help of medications is only suggested nowadays.