France: A parliamentary report on health prevention recommends a tobacco-free generation policy

A parliamentary report on health prevention, commissioned by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and authored by MP Cyrille Isaac-Sibille, makes 48 proposals aimed at strengthening and structuring primary prevention in France.[1]. The document highlights the importance of this policy in reducing the incidence of several chronic diseases and limiting healthcare spending. According to the report, approximately 40% of cancers could be prevented by addressing key behaviors and risk factors. It also notes that the number of people with long-term illnesses (LTI) is projected to reach 14 million in 2024, representing approximately 20% of the population, compared to 6 million in the mid-2000s. These recommendations include the adoption of a policy aimed at achieving a tobacco-free generation.

A report that revives a tobacco-free generation policy

Among the measures addressing risky behaviors, the report recommends "« aiming for a tobacco-free generation for people born after 2009 »This proposal resumes a recommendation made in July 2026 by the Health Insurance and personally supported by Health Minister Stéphanie Rist and tobacco control experts. The national health insurance system explained at the time that ending smoking was one of the most cost-effective measures against tobacco, which represents €156 billion lost to society each year. More than €20 billion of this social cost corresponds to direct healthcare expenses for treating patients with cancer or serious cardiovascular diseases. The generational ban would be reinforced by prevention and smoking cessation support programs. Such an approach requires continued price increases through taxation.

The document specifically mentions the United Kingdom, which adopted in 2026 a measure progressively banning the legal sale of cigarettes to generations born from 1^er January 2009 as part of its Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The Maldives have also adopted a similar measure. in 2025. Some US local territories and federal states do so as well, and other countries, such as New Zealand and Malaysia, considered it before ultimately backing down under industrial pressure. In France, A cross-party bill aimed at establishing a tobacco-free generation was tabled in November 2025 by MP Nicolas Thierry., without, however, having been placed on the agenda of the National Assembly.

This increase in the number of countries committed to or considering this tobacco-free generation policy reflects the international discussions that have been ongoing in recent years. These discussions are linked in particular to the WHO treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), whose objective is to remove tobacco from society.

Potential savings associated with prevention

The report particularly highlights the economic consequences of improved prevention policies.

Regarding tobacco, the proposal for a tobacco-free generation is one of several measures designed to address the root causes of diseases linked to risky behaviors. The report presents prevention as a lever for both public health and the economy, the development of which would require better structuring and increased visibility in public policy.

The report argues that lasting behavioral change depends in particular on a combination of education, information, and regulation. It proposes a clearer integration of prevention into healthcare spending and also makes recommendations regarding diet, physical activity, alcohol, other addictions, and digital technology use.

A study published in 2024 by the association Acteurs de la French Care supports this approach. It estimated that aligning French performance in smoking prevention, alcohol consumption, screening, and vaccination with the OECD average could reduce reimbursements by health insurance and supplementary organizations by €5 billion per year.

According to the same study, if France were to align with the top-performing OECD countries, these savings could reach €16.7 billion, with over €10 billion linked to a decrease in the number of smokers. The report also emphasizes that the reduction in tobacco tax revenue would not necessarily be proportional to the decrease in consumption, as some of the spending could be redirected towards other goods and services.

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[1]Jean Cittone, «Aiming for a tobacco-free generation»: a prevention report submitted to the Prime Minister proposes billions of euros in savings, Le Figaro, published on September 16, 2026, accessed on September 17, 2026

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