It is well known: tobacco is a real scourge for health. Responsible for cancers (cancer of the lung, but also of the throat, esophagus, mouth, etc.) and other serious illnesses (COPD, cardiovascular disorders, etc.), it is both dangerous for the smoker and for those around him who are subjected to passive smoking.
However, received ideas about tobacco have a hard tooth: they are intended to relieve guilt. The most widespread, we know them: “At my age, there’s no point in quitting smoking anymore.“, “a cigarette once in a while, it won’t kill me“, “I smoke filter cigarettes, it’s less dangerous“, “if i quit smoking i will gain weight“… False !
Quitting smoking: I find “my” motivation
In France, in 2019, 33% of smokers tried to quit smoking – in vain. According to a barometer published by the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (Inpes) in 2013, the number one motivation for saying “goodbye” to cigarettes is health.
Then come the aesthetic concerns: tired of having yellow fingers and teeth, wanting to regain a fresh complexion and good breath… Then the worry about addiction (smoking is seen as a loss freedom), financial reasons (smoking a pack of cigarettes a day costs up to 3,000 euros a year) and respect for those around you, especially family.
And among young people? 11% of young people aged 16 to 35 smoke daily: 84% of them want to quit to preserve their health (57%) and for financial reasons (46%). They are 58% to have already tried to crush their last cigarette.
Good news : to stop smoking permanently, aids exist. On the site Tobacco Info Service, you can take stock of your tobacco consumption, find professionals to talk to, and even download personalized coaching to put the odds on your side. There is also a freephone number (39 89) and an app!
Sources:
Weekly epidemiological bulletin (Public Health France)
Heyme press release
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