A possible "strategic refocusing" could harm the scientific independence of Public Health France

The government could decide on a "strategic refocusing" of Public Health France (SpF), entailing the transfer of certain missions to the Ministry of Health.[1]. The decision was reportedly made at an interministerial meeting, approved by the Prime Minister, and then presented to the agency's staff by its Director General, Caroline Semaille. The stated objectives are to improve the agency's coordination and efficiency. However, many health experts and public policymakers have expressed concern about the potential exposure of Public Health France (SPF) to political censorship and industry lobbying. Public Health France is a key player in the fight against addictions, particularly smoking.

The two main objectives stated by the executive branch would be to improve the responsiveness and coordination of public health.

The public health agency Santé publique France, created in May 2016, is the result of the merger of INPES (National Institute for Prevention and Health Education), InVS (National Institute for Public Health Surveillance), and Eprus (Establishment for Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies). The objective was to provide France with an integrated structure comparable to those existing in other countries, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States or the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in the United Kingdom.

Regarding tobacco control, Public Health France is specifically responsible for public information and awareness campaigns. For about ten years, the agency has run the "Month Without Tobacco" social marketing campaign, which takes place every October/November. This campaign relies in particular on the Tabac Info Service, the telephone helpline for smoking cessation. In addition, the agency conducts large-scale epidemiological surveys known as Barometers on classic smoking Or vaping which analyze and monitor the health behaviors of the population, social inequalities and their evolution (smoking prevalence, but also their incidence with the estimation of mortality and morbidity related to tobacco…).

Two main developments in the agency could be expected, as part of a broader movement to rationalize state operators.

On the one hand, the transfer of the pharmaceutical establishment (which manages the State's strategic stocks such as masks and sensitive medicines) and of the health reserve (the healthcare workers who come to reinforce missions on an ad hoc basis), which could be placed under the direct hierarchical authority of the Directorate General of Health (DGS).

Regarding stocks and the health reserve, the ministry reportedly intends to "shorten the chain of command," "unify existing systems," and "strengthen decision-making capacity," particularly in a health crisis. According to the government, these missions fall under the core functions of preparedness and response to crises.

On the other hand, national public health communication campaigns could be transferred to the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM).

Regarding communication campaigns, the government claims to be aiming for greater clarity in its public messaging. According to Stéphanie Rist's office, the proliferation of campaigning organizations has contributed to a lack of clarity in public health messaging. The stated objective, according to the minister's office, is to improve effectiveness, not reduce spending.

Concerns have been raised about the risk of censorship and lobbying in public health, including the fight against tobacco.

The possibility of this reform is raising concerns among some political leaders, associative actors and scientists, who fear a loss of independence of public communication and a reduced effectiveness of prevention messages.

An employee of Public Health France is thus concerned that "« Politicians are regaining control over scientific communication »". So, "« Scientists will be able to continue their investigations, but it will be up to the government to choose how it talks about it. ".

Another researcher expressed her concerns that the government might " probably blocking prevention campaigns on topics that are inconvenient ".

Green Party MP Hendrik Davi, also an administrator of SpF, raises concerns about the risk of "censorship" of campaigns dealing with sensitive topics such as tobacco, alcohol, drugs, food, pollution, or sexual health.

The MP also fears political interference that could undermine scientific independence. Since any effective campaign is likely to provoke lobbying and risk being blocked, the messages conveyed could lose their effectiveness, or even weaken all public health decisions.

For example, in 2023, a few months before the Rugby World Cup, the Ministry of Health rejected two alcohol prevention campaigns. According to an investigation by Radio France, the campaign dedicated to preventing the risks of alcohol consumption was cancelled after Emmanuel Macron's office relayed the arguments of the alcohol lobby to François Braun, the Minister of Health at the time.

Similar concerns were expressed by Emmanuelle Béguinot, director of the National Committee Against Smoking (CNCT), who stressed the importance of basing prevention policies on rigorous and independent scientific data, as well as on communication free from lobby influences.

Finally, the French Society of Public Health has also warned against the consequences of such a weakening of the role of scientific agencies. It points out that international experience shows that a loss of autonomy can lead to a lasting erosion of citizens' trust in public health messages.[3].

In the United States, a restructuring of the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the Trump presidency, has indeed raised many concerns about the influence of the tobacco and nicotine industry on public health policies.

Observers and health associations have noted that some reshuffling within the CDC and the FDA has resulted in the elimination of key positions in the Office on Smoking and Health, responsible for federal smoking prevention programs, which has been interpreted by former employees as a reduction in institutional support for tobacco control and a "gift" to the tobacco industry.

Decisions made by the American administration regarding health limit the development of evidence-based policies, particularly with regard to tobacco, vaping and other nicotine products.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1]Victor Dhollande, Restructuring at Public Health France: a risk of the government "blocking prevention campaigns on inconvenient topics"", France Info, published January 30, 2026, accessed February 2, 2026

[2]Public Health France reform: prevention now under the ministry's control, professionals on alert, Libération, published on January 30, 2026, accessed on February 2, 2026

[3]Press release - Reorganization of Public Health France: preserving the scientific and operational integrity of prevention and health promotion missions!, French Society of Public Health, published January 30, 2026, accessed February 2, 2026

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