Lower smoking rates and increased perceived harm of cigarettes among French adults one year after comprehensive tobacco control measures

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the impact of comprehensive tobacco control strategies implemented in France in 2017, including plain tobacco packaging (PP) and larger graphic health warnings (GHW) on tobacco products. The study aims to examine smoking and e-cigarette use rates, as well as smoking-related perceptions before and one year after the policy change. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders involved in tobacco control efforts.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the DePICT survey, a two-wave cross-sectional national telephone survey of French adults aged 18-64 years (2016: 4456; 2017: 4114).
* In 2017, smoking rates decreased (PR = 0.93) and current e-cigarette use dropped (PR = 0.76) compared to 2016.
* French adults were more likely to report fear of the consequences of smoking (PR = 1.10) and that smoking is dangerous (PR = 1.08) in 2017.
* Smokers were more likely to think that health messages on tobacco products are efficient (PR = 1.18) in 2017.
* There was no statistically significant interaction between sex and study wave for smoking or e-cigarettes use.
* A statistically significant interaction between educational level and study wave was found in relation to smoking, with a decrease in adjusted PR (0.85) among those with a high school or two-year university degree.
* The study suggests that PP and larger GHW, along with other tobacco control measures, could contribute to changes in perceptions and patterns of tobacco use, signaling a substantial change in smoking behaviors.

Main Message:
The study demonstrates that the comprehensive tobacco control strategies implemented in France in 2017, including plain tobacco packaging and larger graphic health warnings, have had a positive impact on smoking and e-cigarette use rates. The findings suggest that these measures could contribute to denormalizing smoking and encouraging smoking cessation, particularly among certain sociodemographic groups. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing and maintaining comprehensive tobacco control policies to reduce smoking rates and mitigate the health risks associated with tobacco use.

El-Khoury, Fabienne, Camille Bolze, Ramchandar Gomajee, Vicki White, and Maria Melchior. “Lower Smoking Rates and Increased Perceived Harm of Cigarettes among French Adults One Year after Comprehensive Tobacco Control Measures.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 201 (August 2019): 65–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.03.025.