70% French people in favor of gradually stopping the sale of tobacco to new generations

In its latest indicator, the Alliance Against Tobacco looks at the French people's perception of tobacco products and nicotine. The results show strong support for anti-smoking policies, and even their reinforcement, in particular by gradually stopping the sale of tobacco to new generations.

The survey was conducted online for the Alliance Against Tobacco in November 2024 by the BVA polling institute, with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 people aged 15 and over, residing in metropolitan France.[1].

A predominantly negative perception of tobacco, even among smokers

According to the survey, 78% of French people report having a negative opinion of tobacco consumption. Among non-smokers, this proportion reaches 91%, while the negative opinion remains the majority among smokers themselves (53%). Furthermore, 18% of respondents believe that the consumption of tobacco products is neither positive nor negative, which means that only 4% of those surveyed indicate having a positive opinion of smoking (12% among smokers). According to the Alliance against tobacco, approximately two thirds of respondents consider that the use of electronic cigarettes is "nicer" than that of cigarettes. On this point, the age, social situation and smoking status of the respondents seem to be determining factors. Indeed, 73% of 15-24 year-olds indicate that they prefer electronic cigarettes to traditional cigarettes, 69% of CSP+, and 80% of people who have never smoked.

New nicotine products perceived as harmful by majority of respondents

The study shows that new nicotine products are widely considered harmful to health. However, electronic cigarettes are slightly less perceived as dangerous by the general public, whether they are traditional devices (78%) or puffs (85%). Around nine out of ten French people consider that nicotine beads or pearls (89%) and nicotine pouches (90%) are dangerous to health. The recent study conducted jointly by the National Committee against Smoking and the National Institute for Consumption – 60 million consumers, on the presence of heavy metals, arsenic and sweeteners in nicotine pouches could reinforce the perception of the harmful nature of these products.

Public support for anti-smoking policies

The survey results seem to document general public support for tobacco control policies implemented, or even for strengthening regulations. Thus, 36% of respondents say they want to maintain the current number of anti-smoking measures, and almost half want them to be strengthened (49%). Thus, only 15% of respondents report wanting a reduction in the number of anti-smoking measures. A reduction in public health regulations is also a minority among smokers, a third of whom say they want to reduce the number of anti-smoking measures (33%). However, only 28% of them say they are in favour of strengthening regulations, indicating that smokers tend to prefer a status quo. These data are, however, interesting, since they show that the various anti-smoking regulations are standardized and accepted by the vast majority of smokers.

A gradual cessation of tobacco sales to future generations supported by the latter

The prospect of a tobacco-free generation is overwhelmingly supported by public opinion, with 70% of respondents saying they are in favour of a gradual ban on tobacco sales, for example by gradually increasing the legal age. Although lower, smokers' support for such a measure, adopted in the United Kingdom, remains in the majority (52%). Above all, the gradual ban on sales is very strongly supported by the youngest (79% of 15-24 year-olds). The survey results, however, show a certain scepticism in public opinion with regard to increases in tobacco taxes, with only 52% considering this measure as an effective tool for reducing smoking, while the major impact of this provision in reducing prevalence is now widely documented in the scientific literature.

A mixed picture of the tobacco sector

Nearly three-quarters of French people consider that the tobacco industry's activity is disrespectful of human rights. On the other hand, respondents have a more ambivalent perception of tobacco retailers. Indeed, a majority of them tend to consider this profession more as a local business (53%) than as actors associated with the tobacco industry. However, two-thirds of French people consider the public aid granted to tobacconists to be illegitimate. Finally, two-thirds of respondents say they are poorly informed about the tobacco industry's influence practices, whether it be lobbying strategies or advertising strategies in the broad sense (product placements, corporate social responsibility, etc.).

FT

[1] Alliance against tobacco, Perception of tobacco and nicotine products by the French in 2024, 05/02/2025, (accessed 10/02/2025)