France continues to grapple with the significant health burden of tobacco use, with over 68,000 deaths attributable to smoking in 2023 – representing 11% of all deaths recorded that year, according to recent data released by Santé publique France.
The figures highlight the enduring impact of tobacco, despite decades of public health initiatives including price increases, public smoking bans, standardized packaging, and national prevention campaigns. The data reveals a stark reality: despite these measures, smoking remains a leading cause of preventable death in the country.
The report defines “attributable” deaths as those that likely would not have occurred without exposure to tobacco. These deaths are statistically linked to smoking-related cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory conditions.
A significant gender disparity persists, with 16% of male deaths attributed to tobacco in 2023, compared to 6% of female deaths. This difference is rooted in historical smoking patterns, with men taking up smoking earlier and in greater numbers than women. However, the gap is narrowing as female smoking rates from previous decades contribute to a rise in lung cancer diagnoses among women.
Regional disparities also exist, with the Hauts-de-France, Grand Est, and Corsica regions reporting the highest mortality rates linked to tobacco. These differences correlate with socioeconomic factors, as smoking prevalence is higher among lower-income and less-educated populations.
While lung cancer accounts for 57% of tobacco-related deaths, the impact extends far beyond. One-third of deaths from chronic respiratory diseases are attributable to smoking, and approximately one in ten deaths from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are linked to tobacco use. Smoking weakens the lungs and also damages the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
The French government launched the 10th edition of “Mois sans tabac” (Month Without Tobacco) on November 1, 2025, a national campaign spearheaded by Santé publique France and in partnership with the Assurance Maladie, challenging smokers to abstain from cigarettes for 30 consecutive days. The initiative, which began in 2016, has seen over 1.4 million smokers register, with data suggesting a 30-day break increases long-term cessation chances.
Despite a recent decline in daily smokers, particularly following price increases between 2017 and 2020, the downward trend appears to be slowing. The rise of vaping among young adults is also a growing concern, with some adolescents using e-cigarettes in conjunction with traditional tobacco.
Public health officials have set a goal of achieving a “tobacco-free generation” by 2032, aiming for less than 5% of 18-year-olds to be smokers. This involves preventing young people from starting to smoke and supporting current smokers in quitting. Early cessation is crucial, with quitting before age 40 significantly reducing the risk of tobacco-related mortality.
According to Santé publique France, passive smoking causes approximately 3,000 deaths annually in France, affecting individuals exposed to secondhand smoke at home or operate. Secondhand smoke contains carcinogenic and toxic substances, increasing the risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory problems.
