In France, only over the last year, one million people quit smoking
According to BBC, a possible reason for this in the study is the recent changes in anti-tobacco regulations in France. In particular, in recent years, the country introduced standardized packaging for all cigarette brands, compensation for those who use tobacco substitutes, raised prices on tobacco products, and conducted campaigns such as the National Month Without Smoking.
According to the study, in 2016, among French adults aged 18 to 75, 26.9% smoked daily, and a year later – 29.4%. In absolute numbers, this means that the number of smokers decreased from 13.2 to 12.2 million people.
French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn separately welcomed the decrease in the number of smokers among low-income populations. "Tobacco can be used to track inequality: it causes the greatest harm to the least protected groups – and the further, the worse," the minister noted.
Also, a significant decrease in cigarette use was recorded among young people aged 18 to 24, reports RFI. In this age group, the number of smokers decreased from 44.2% to 35.3%, the study says. Researchers explain this by the less stable addiction of young people to tobacco due to a shorter smoking history.
The decisive factor, according to the ministry, was the increase in the cost of tobacco products. France is considered a European leader in the high cost of cigarettes due to regular increases in excise taxes. The minimum price of a pack of cigarettes in France since March 1 has been set by the government at 7.70 euros. State excise taxes account for 80% of the cost of a pack of cigarettes in France. These tax revenues go to finance the social insurance system.
As a study conducted last year showed, despite the decades-long legislative fight against tobacco smoking, population growth on the planet has led to an increase in the absolute number of smokers as well. Worldwide, tobacco causes one in ten deaths. Half of all these cases occur in just four countries – China, India, the United States, and Russia, according to the medical journal The Lancet.
The World Health Organization notes that warning pictures depicting the possible consequences of smoking are especially helpful for smokers to quit. And it emphasizes that this and other most effective measures have already been introduced in 78 countries, where almost half of the world's population lives.