Smoking Kills 68,000 in France: New Quit Campaign Launched

Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable death, responsible for over 68,000 premature deaths annually – representing 11% of all deaths. This data, based on revised and updated methodology, confirms that tobacco is still the number one preventable cause of mortality in France, despite a slight decrease since 2015. Recognizing the challenges many face in quitting, Santé publique France and the Ministry of Health are launching the “Devenir Ex-fumeur” (Become a Non-Smoker) campaign from February 16th to March 15th, 2026. This initiative aims to build on the momentum of the national No Smoking Month and provide year-round, free, personalized support through Tabac info service to encourage smokers to attempt to quit.

Cancers, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases: tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable mortality in France

In 2023, more than 68,000 deaths in France were linked to tobacco use, accounting for 11% of total mortality (16% among men and 6% among women). The current mortality rate attributable to tobacco reflects past smoking habits of generations of men and women now reaching ages where tobacco-related diseases are more prevalent. While this figure is down from 75,000 deaths in 2015, a decline linked to the decreasing number of heavy smokers, the improvement in estimation methods also contributes to this change. These updated methods now incorporate more recent data on the risks associated with tobacco, particularly among women, whose consumption patterns are now similar to those of men.

Published data shows that cancer remains the leading cause of death related to tobacco, accounting for 55% of tobacco-related deaths in women and 58% in men.

1 in 3 deaths related to chronic respiratory disease and 1 in 10 deaths related to cardiovascular or neurovascular disease are attributable to smoking.

Beyond gender disparities, significant regional differences exist. The Hauts-de-France, Grand Est, and Corsica regions present mortality rates attributable to tobacco that are 40% higher than those of Île-de-France, the region with the lowest rate. These disparities highlight the need to tailor public health policies to the most vulnerable areas. The overseas territories of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana have lower attributable mortality rates, linked to historically lower tobacco consumption. Still, the mortality rate in Réunion is closer to levels observed in mainland France.

Become a Non-Smoker: a desire shared by more than 1 in 2 smokers, with free and accessible support available year-round with Tabac info service

According to the results of the Santé publique France 2024 Survey, 55% of daily smokers want to quit. To support them, Santé publique France is launching a campaign from February 16th to March 15th, 2026: “Become a Non-Smoker”. Building on the success of the 10th edition of No Smoking Month, this campaign creates a link between the collective momentum of November and the individual support offered by Tabac info service throughout the year. The campaign materials (videos, banners, audio spots) illustrate a variety of journeys, showing that every attempt counts and that becoming a non-smoker is possible.

The campaign primarily targets smokers who want to quit, with a particular focus on socio-economically vulnerable populations. The campaign will be deployed on TV, digital platforms, social media, and audio platforms to encourage smokers to embrace a tobacco-free life. The campaign emphasizes that the Tabac info service is free and accessible year-round to assist smokers capture the step, with a strong message: “Tabac info service supports you to increase your chances of becoming a non-smoker,” through 39 89 for free personalized follow-up with tobacco specialists, the application and the website tabac-info-service.fr for daily advice and support.