To encourage smokers to quit, Marisol Touraine is launching "Moi(s) sans tabac," the first large-scale public health campaign ever organized in France

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Published on 6 October 2016

Marisol TOURAINE, Minister of Social Affairs and Health, is launching today the first phase of "Moi(s) sans tabac," a new kind of national campaign to combat smoking. The idea is simple: to encourage as many smokers as possible to quit for at least 30 days, starting November 1. This initiative is sure to be a success, given that a month without tobacco increases the chances of quitting for good by five times… Throughout the campaign, participants will receive personalized support. And to motivate even more smokers, a massive communication campaign will be launched on October 10.

The health benefits of quitting smoking for former smokers are undeniable. Based on this observation, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, in partnership with Santé publique France and the National Health Insurance Fund, has launched "Moi(s) sans tabac," an innovative campaign to encourage smokers to quit for at least 30 days, starting November 1. Inspired by the British initiative “Stoptober,” “Moi(s) sans tabac” is the first public health challenge ever organized in our country. More than 50 partners are participating in the campaign: public entities, associations, media outlets, major corporations…

In October, mobilize as many participants as possible

To encourage smokers to participate in the campaign, a massive communication campaign will launch on October 10 on television, online, and in the streets (posters). A partnership has been launched with the show “Plus Belle la Vie,” which airs every weeknight on France 3.

Each participant can register on Tabac Info Service (via the website www.tabac-info-service.fr, the Tabac Info Service mobile app, or by phone at 39 89) to take part in the campaign. Personalized support is provided: participants can pick up a free smoking cessation kit at pharmacies, including a preparation brochure, a 30-day planner with daily tips, a calculator to track savings, and more. They can also use the Tabac Info Service app, which has been completely redesigned for the occasion. Finally, community outreach initiatives will provide information on smoking, smoking cessation support, and more.

In November, take on the challenge together

On November 1, the collective challenge "Moi(s) sans tabac" will kick off. Throughout the month, to support participants on a daily basis, events will be organized (quit-smoking consultations, sports challenges, etc.) in various locations across France (community spaces, recreational areas, shopping centers, workplaces, etc.). In addition, the communication campaign will continue on the radio, online, and through billboards.

Marisol TOURAINE stated: "Every year, tobacco kills 73,000 people in France. I have chosen to fight this scourge. This is the purpose of the strong measures I have taken, including the introduction of plain packaging. Today, with the ‘Moi(s) sans tabac’ campaign, we are taking a new step: creating a collective, unifying movement by addressing smokers directly. More than one in two smokers wants to quit; ‘Moi(s) sans tabac’ will help them do so.”