Since 2016, Operation No Tobacco Month has encouraged smokers to quit smoking permanently. But what are the economic and health impacts of these campaigns? Keeping this strategy in place until 2050, a study by Public Health France estimated the number of lung infections and cancers that could be avoided as well as the savings in health costs.
Since 2016, No Tobacco Month, led by Public Health France, has encouraged people to quit smoking for at least 30 days in November. The health agency estimated the potential health and economic impacts if the system were to be maintained until 2050. Results
Since 2016, every year November is observed as No Tobacco Month. An extensive public health operation, the system encourages smokers to quit and supports them during the thirty days of November. Thirty days? This limit is equal to one. DurationDuration After which withdrawal symptoms are significantly reduced, the chance of quitting permanently increases to five percent.
However, is the operation really profitable from a health and economic point of view? Public Health France, which oversees the event each year, has assessed the campaign’s health and economic impact. The findings are published in the Health Agency’s Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin this Tuesday, November 12.
How many survived cancer and respiratory infections?
The effects of a month without tobacco were calculated using a microsimulation model.OECDOECD. The estimate was obtained by comparing the results of a scenario. State in which – Scenario results without campaign organization – and with system organization. Thus, if No Tobacco Month were observed every year until 2050, it would avoid:
- 241,000 cases of lower respiratory infections;
- 210,000 cases of musculoskeletal disorders;
- 44,000 cases of chronic bronchopneumonitis;
- 28,000 cases of cancer attributed to tobacco;
- 18,000 cases of heart disease;
- 8,000 cases of DementiaDementia ;
- 4,000 cases of DiabetesDiabetes.
How many years of life was restored?
” In addition, this operation will adjust 12-year life expectancy and 17-year life expectancy per 100,000 inhabitants per year. », notes Public Health France. That is, as a whole 107,000 life years and 149,000 disability-adjusted life years ».
In financial terms, while the operation cost an average of 12.5 million euros per year in the period 2016-2021, it would save 94 million euros per year in health costs. So, for 1 Euro invested, 7 Euros are saved.
Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable deaths in France with 75,000 attributable deaths in 2015, or 13% of all deaths. In 2022, tobacco use remained high in France with 24.5% of 18-75 year olds smoking. During the period 2016-2020, it is estimated that more than two million attempts to quit smoking can be directly attributed to the operation of Tobacco Free Month.
