As of November 1, the third edition of “Moi (s) sans tabac” is launched, a national challenge to invite the French to quit smoking together for 30 days in a row. The goal ? Increase the chances of not falling back into addiction. On this occasion, Public health France takes stock, in his Weekly epidemiological bulletin (BEH) of October 30, on a situation qualified as worrying: smoking continues to increase in women, and this for about fifty years.
The 2010 Inpes Health Barometer already reported a clear increase in the number of smokers between 2005 and 2010 in France. Women born between 1945 and 1965 were particularly concerned because of the “generation of female emancipation”. Henceforth, the prevalence of female smoking would even approach that observed among men. In 2017, 24% of women aged 15 to 75 smoked daily, compared to 30% of men according to the BEH. And this increase is not without consequences.
An increase in the incidence of pathologies
Between 2002 and 2015, the incidence of lung cancer increased by 72% in women, while it remained stable in men. This pathology should thus “In the near future to become the leading cause of death from cancer in women, ahead of breast cancer”, notes the report. The incidence of hospitalizations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has doubled (30% more in men). The rate of myocardial infarctions before age 65 increased by 50% (16% in men). Thus, over the same period, the number of deaths associated with smoking would have doubled. Here again, women aged 45-64 are the most affected.
The BEH also warns about the number of pregnant women who continue to smoke, still too many. Only half of pregnant smokers stop smoking during the nine months. In 2016, 30% of women smoked before pregnancy. 16% smoked in the third trimester, the highest rates in Europe. According to the study carried out, these cigarette consumers are mainly under 30, have little education or have lower incomes. Awareness of the risks is however real, since “In those who persist in smoking, a marked reduction in cigarette consumption is observed”, abstract Public health France.
An alarm signal
“Such increases observed over a period of 15 years should be regarded as a red flag, says François Bourdillon, CEO of Public health France in the BEH editorial. The denormalization of smoking and supporting smokers to stop all tobacco consumption are therefore crucial. […] I hope that the 3rd edition of the Tobacco Free Month will allow us to continue the momentum observed over the past year of a very clear reduction in smoking in our country. “ Between 2016 and 2017, an overall decrease in tobacco consumption was indeed recorded for all ages and all sexes, with one million fewer smokers.
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