May 31 marks World No Tobacco Day. The opportunity to interview Bertrand Dautzenberg, pulmonologist at Pitié-Salpêtrière and tobacco specialist.
France now has one million fewer smokers, going from 13.2 million tobacco users to 12.2 million, according to data from the 2017 Health Barometer of Public Health France published recently. What about women in particular?
Bertrand Dautzenberg: the number of female smokers has declined, as has the number of smokers. This finding is particularly marked among women aged 55 to 64 (21% vs. 18% in 2017). If the number of female smokers has fallen less than the number of smokers in recent years, it is because generations of female smokers have replaced entire generations of non-smokers. Remember that during a whole period, the men smoked and not the women.
Are there specific risks associated with female smoking?
Yes, insofar as even if it is said little, tobacco is a formidable endocrine disruptor. Smokers therefore see their hormones disrupted, which has an impact on their puberty, their periods, their contraception, their menopause … For example, there is an increase in the number of cases of early menopause in women smokers (between 23 and 30% more). And the more important the smoking, the more the toxic effect is.
In addition, smoking increases the risk of developing breast and cervical cancer. This addiction is also very harmful for pregnant women, of course.
Are smoking cessation strategies the same for men and women?
The real difference lies rather in the request for help with smoking cessation. Women seek and advocate for help quitting smoking, while men find it difficult to get help, and if so, don’t always embrace it.
Do you think electronic cigarettes help to quit smoking?
Undoubtedly yes, all the studies prove it. But beware: starting to vape is only good if you are a smoker. If you are not, you should avoid starting the electronic cigarette. It’s like antibiotics, they are prescribed only if there is an infection.
Should we ban tobacco in France?
No, that would be an aberration. France bans the consumption of cannabis. The result: we are one of the biggest consumers in Europe. The tobacco ban would produce the same effects.
.
