France: Launch of a new Regional Tobacco Control Program in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes

With high prevalence and serious health consequences, the fight against smoking remains a major public health issue in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region. The region has just adopted a new Regional Tobacco Control Program (PRLT) for 2024-2027, aimed at achieving a tobacco-free generation by 2032, led by the Regional Health Agency.

Smoking situation in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes

In the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, the prevalence of daily smoking among 18- to 75-year-olds is estimated at 25%, representing more than 1.4 million smokers. These figures have not changed significantly since 2017.[1]

The 2022 ESCAPAD survey on youth drug use revealed that 151,300 17-year-olds smoke daily. This figure is down sharply from 271,300 in 2017, but remains relatively high compared to other countries.[2]

In 2015, the total number of deaths attributable to smoking in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes was estimated at 8,242, or just over 12% of all deaths in the region. These figures highlight the challenges of a continued policy at the regional level that complements and reinforces the measures adopted at the national level.[3].

A 2024-2027 regional strategy aligned with national provisions

The region's objectives are related to a reduction in tobacco prevalence, particularly among young people, to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2032, i.e. a rate of tobacco users below 5% at the age group of people born in 2014.

The actions are largely in line with those implemented in the previous program and include the development of the use of electronic cigarettes. Prevention measures include the development of psychosocial skills, the denormalization of tobacco use, including in the private sphere, with action aimed at families, the development of smoke-free places, particularly healthcare facilities, the care of smokers, including minors, and more targeted actions aimed at more vulnerable populations. A specific effort is planned to improve access to cessation services and the promotion of smoking cessation in prevention sites.

The Regional Plan addresses tobacco from a health perspective, as well as from a societal perspective. Thus, the environmental dimension is taken into account in communication related to the damage caused by these products.

However, some provisions of the PNLT do not appear in the plan, such as the monitoring and enforcement of regulations, which are essential for the effectiveness of the measures. The program also does not address the supply dimension with the issue of protecting public policies, including regional and local ones, from interference by representatives of the tobacco sector.

The regional tobacco control plan is led by the ARS Auvergne Rhône-Alpes with the support of the former IREPS, now Promotion Santé- Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. Regional stakeholders, both institutional and civil society, are mobilized for its implementation with both regional and local structures.

DT

©Generation Without Tobacco

[1] Public Health France, Tobacco in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Regional data from the 2021 barometer, Public Health France, published July 17, 2023, consulted July 4, 2024

[2] OFDT, Drugs at 17: Regional Analysis. ESCAPAD 2022 Survey, OFDT, published February 1, 2024, consulted July 4, 2024

[3] Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes ARS, Regional tobacco control program in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2024-2027, published July 3, 2024, accessed July 4, 2024