Does the policy of regularly raising tobacco prices, despite its confirmed success in Britain, really discourage smokers in France? The French are skeptical about its effectiveness and the aim of seeing the birth of a “first tobacco-free generation”. However, official figures show a decline in smoking, especially among young people. The WHO recalls that millions of adolescents around the world still use tobacco.
Regularly increase the price of tobacco to deter smokers, but also younger generations. This is one of the policies implemented by many countries to reduce smoking. But does it really work? Although a British study recently confirmed the success of such a measure, the French say they are not convinced of its benefits and impact on consumption. And they are no more optimistic about creating the “first tobacco-free generation,” a goal they see as unattainable.
This year, World No Tobacco Day is aimed at young people and aims to “ protect against interference from the tobacco industry “, as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO): an action that raises awareness of the harmful consequences of this addiction and which also aims to do everything possible to ensure that children and adolescents do not start smoking.
In many countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia and France, this involves a policy of continually rising tobacco prices. A measure that the French population does not believe in is evident from a survey* carried out by the savings solution Yomoni in the context of this International Day.
The increase in tobacco prices has no impact
Almost three quarters of respondents (72%)) — French people aged 18 and over, smokers and non-smokers — believe that the increase in the prices of tobacco products will not affect the decline in smoking in the country. A figure that rises to 76% for smokers and drops to 68% for non-smokers. Only 11% of the entire panel believes that this measure “ absolutely » reduce tobacco consumption, and 17% think this can be effective “ but only partially “.
Note, however, that a recent survey, conducted among a sample of approximately 1,700 adults in England, smokers or ex-smokers, found that the number of attempts to quit smoking motivated by the cost of smoking has increased significantly since then health crisishealth crisis. “ Since 2020, England has experienced a period of significant social instability, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which may have led to changes in the reasons smokers give for quitting smoking », the researchers explained.
When will this “first tobacco-free generation” happen?
In France, the National Tobacco Control Program (PNLT) 2023-2027 mainly aims to protect the youngest generations against the harms of tobacco with strong measures. The goal: to make tobacco products less accessible and less attractive to the entire population, especially adolescents and young adults. But more broadly, the government intends “ building the first tobacco-free generation by 2032 “. Here too, the French are sceptical. Based on the research, more than nine in ten respondents (94%) believe that this is not feasible, including 96% of smokers and 91% of non-smokers.
“The French, and especially young people, are smoking less and less”
However, the pessimism of the population must be compared with the official figures. And the latter are clear: the French, and especially young people, are smoking less and less. According to the latest data from the French Public Health Barometer, published in May 2023, daily smoking among 18-75 year olds increased from 28.6 to 24.5% between 2014 and 2022, while the consumption of daily smokers decreased from 13.5 to 12.6 cigarettes per year. day average. The observation is even more telling among young people: daily smoking has increased among French people aged 17 from 32.4% in 2014 to 15.6% in 2022. And this downward trend is also significant in mattermatter experimenting, going from 68.4% in 2014 to 46.5% in 2022.
A downward trend, but 37 million children are still addicted to tobacco
Although many associations are now calling for more efforts, including even more deterrent price increases, these figures demonstrate, at least in part, the effects generated by the measures taken in recent years. On the occasion of the 2024 edition of World No Tobacco Day, theWorld Health OrganisationWorld Health Organisation However, (WHO) recalls that 37 million adolescents aged 13 to 15 years still use tobacco worldwide, including 4 million in the health authority’s European region.
*Survey conducted among a representative sample of 1,002 people living in France, aged 18 and over. Survey conducted online in May 2024 by the panel of BuzzPress respondents (27,200 people in France surveyed electronically by email and on the Internet). social networkssocial networks FacebookFacebook and LinkedIn).