New data from Santé publique France’s Health Barometer shows the public’s enthusiasm for “Mois sans tabac”: attempts to quit smoking in the last quarter of the year, attributed to “Mois sans tabac,” have been on the rise since the campaign’s launch in 2016.

This year, Santé publique France is once again strengthening its program and making it easy for all participants to access smoking cessation support. On social media, the founders of Wanted Community are taking on the Tobacco-Free Month challenge and will share messages throughout the campaign with this community of mutual aid and social cooperation, which includes nearly 1 million participants. On television, three new campaign ambassadors—Christophe Beaugrand-Gérin for TF1, Adriana Karembeu for France TV, and Stéphane Plaza for M6—will lend their support to participants.

These figures demonstrate a genuine collective effort to quit smoking together for 30 days—a critical timeframe, as reaching this milestone increases the chances of quitting for good by fivefold. Beyond that point, withdrawal symptoms (such as nervousness and irritability) are significantly reduced.

Nicotine replacement therapies: a popular choice for quitting smoking

Nicotine replacement therapies have proven effective in helping people quit smoking. They have been covered by Medicare, with a prescription, since 2018. Since the first campaign, reimbursement for these treatments has increased significantly starting in October and throughout the “Month Without Tobacco” campaign, and continues for several months afterward, reflecting an active effort to quit smoking.

In 2020, approximately one million people in France used these treatments to quit smoking; this figure has tripled in three years, largely due to their reimbursement.

A tailored support program to promote success

For this 6th edition of “Mois sans tabac,” Santé publique France is strengthening its support system for smokers.

Being able to talk to others and feel supported is essential during these 30 days. That is why challenge participants will be able to benefit from personalized support and access a smoking cessation counseling session tailored to their needs: an in-person consultation with a healthcare professional, a telephone consultation via 39 89, or individual or group sessions near their home or via video conference. The goal is to go even further to help participants quit smoking and give them all the tools they need to meet this major challenge, using a proven method: support from a healthcare professional increases the chances of successfully quitting by 70%.

As part of the “Moi(s) sans tabac 2021” Call for Projects led by the French National Health Insurance, more than 300 smoking cessation support initiatives are being implemented on the ground (individual consultations, group workshops, etc.) targeting socially vulnerable populations: pregnant women, young people, people with chronic illnesses…

Each year, Tobacco-Free Month contributes a little more to building a community united by the common goal of overcoming the urge to smoke, together.

This new edition also marks the launch of Mois sans tabac on Wanted Community, a Facebook-based community focused on mutual aid and social cooperation, to promote smoking cessation throughout the month of November among 1 million members spread across a dozen French cities. Its founders, Jérémie, Christian, and Luc, will also be joining the Mois sans tabac initiative.

Among the must-see resources available this year to get informed, choose your quit strategy, and get ready:

• The tabac-info–service.fr website, a major resource for smoking cessation support.

• The Tabac info service e-coaching app, developed by the French Health Insurance Agency in partnership with Santé publique France and with the support of the Francophone Society of Tobacco Control, has been updated and offers a comprehensive, personalized e-coaching program to maximize the chances of quitting for good (tips, support videos, tracking the daily benefits of quitting, etc.)

• Santé publique France invites participants to join them on social media. By following their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, smokers can find daily support within the community, useful information, and advice to help them navigate the withdrawal phase.

• A “Month Without Tobacco” quit-smoking kit including the 40-day program—comprising two phases: 10 days of preparation and 30 days of the challenge—a savings wheel, and this year, two informational flyers: one detailing the various tools available to quit smoking and the other explaining how to seek help from a healthcare professional to support your quit attempt.

The media landscape is mobilizing

France’s leading broadcasters are renewing their support for the “Mois sans tabac” initiative, represented this year by three ambassadors: Christophe Beaugrand-Gérin (TF1 Group), Adriana Karembeu (France Télévisions), and Stéphane Plaza (M6 Group).

The three hosts will talk with former smokers about their motivations, tips, and fears. They encourage smokers to sign up for “Mois sans tabac” and offer concrete solutions to meet this challenge through 10 30-second TV spots.

“Because I’m lucky enough to have never smoked and I see loved ones around me struggling to quit, I think we all need to come together. This ‘Smoke-Free Month’ is an opportunity for smokers and non-smokers to stick together to achieve this common goal: to finally be free from cigarettes! Having lost my father to cancer when I was only 24, I believe we must do everything we can to encourage everyone to say no to cigarettes.” Christophe Beaugrand-Gérin

“Smoke-Free Month is a cause that’s really close to my heart because too many of my loved ones still smoke and can’t seem to quit. I even wonder how cigarettes can still exist! People still struggle to realize the devastating effects of tobacco on their health, but also on that of their children and those around them… It’s important to me to send positive messages to everyone who wants to quit smoking, because it’s never too late to start!” Adriana Karembeu

“Having never smoked—or hardly ever—I’m very happy to be able to use my fame to encourage people to participate in ‘Smoke-Free Month.’ It’s a great initiative that really helps people quit smoking. It’s so much nicer not to smoke. Being in better shape, enjoying life’s pleasures much more: sports, friends, and of course good food!! Health is our greatest treasure.” Stéphane Plaza