Anti-smoking measures in France: particularly cost-effective

An OECD report looked at the return on investment of anti-smoking actions in France and concluded that there was an average return of four euros saved for every euro invested. Among the actions undertaken, the No Tobacco Month stands out with a return of seven euros per euro invested.

As the publication of the next National Tobacco Control Programme (PNLT) approaches, a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has demonstrated that the actions undertaken within this framework are cost-effective, i.e. they save more than what is invested.

This OECD report, funded by Santé publique France and based on studies published by this agency, assesses the health and economic impact of the actions of the national anti-tobacco program implemented between 2016 and 2020.[1]Among the measures deployed during this period, we can count the appearance of the No Tobacco Month (2016), the introduction of the neutral packaging (2017), three significant increases in the price of tobacco (+41 % from 2017 to 2020) and the extension of the reimbursement of nicotine substitutes (2019).

Gains in life years, health spending and productivity

To produce their assessment, the authors used the OECD microsimulation model for Strategic Public Health Planning for Noncommunicable Diseases (SPHeP-NCD). This modelling allows the calculation of health indicators and estimated that the PNLT measures would prevent the occurrence of 4 million diseases and gain 644,000 life years between 2023 and 2050. In terms of economic repercussions, 578 million euros of health expenditure would be avoided each year and 19,800 full-time equivalents (FTEs) – or 715 million euros – would be gained.

With the cost of anti-smoking measures estimated at €148 million per year, all investments made show a good return, since each euro invested saves four. The return on investment is even more profitable for the No Tobacco Month operation, since its return is seven euros saved for every euro invested. No Tobacco Month stands out in particular in that it invites employers to join the operation to reduce smoking among employees. However, the results of the 2020 and 2021 editions of No Tobacco Month show an overall decline in participation.

Ultimately, anti-smoking actions are presented as a good return investment, which helps to increase the quality of life of the population by reducing chronic diseases.

Launch of an anti-tobacco platform on Article 12 of the FCTC

The publication of this report also offers Santé publique France an opportunity to communicate on the next bilingual knowledge platform (French-English), relating to article 12 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)[2]. Article 12 of the FCTC provides for the dissemination of knowledge about tobacco use through education, communication, training and public awareness.

Keywords: OECD, Public Health France, PNLT, return on investment.

©Tobacco Free Generation

M.F.

[1] Devaux M, Aldea A, Lerouge A, Dorfmuller Ciampi M, Cecchini M, Evaluation of the national anti-smoking program in France, OECD Health Working Papers, No. 155, June 2023, 64 p.

[2] First economic evaluation of No Tobacco Month: a system deemed effective and generating health savings, Public Health France, published June 16, 2023, consulted June 17, 2023.

National Committee Against Smoking |