France’s Love of Cigarettes Seems to Be Declining

If we were to ask you what the run-of-the-mill, postcard image of a French person would be, you would probably describe a lovely lady or man sitting at a Parisian café and smoking a cigarette beneath the lights of the Eiffel Tower. However, as it turns out, those classic Gauloises cigarettes might be going out of fashion as the world becomes more health-conscious. In fact, the public is not the only cluster of people getting involved: now the government is cracking down on smoking habits. Let’s take a closer look at the new policies for cigarettes adopted by the lovely country of France.  

A Widespread Killer

In a recent interview, Health Minister Agnes Buzyn emphasizes how nearly 200 people die as a direct result of tobacco consumption on a daily basis; an alarming trend, to be sure. Furthermore, the minister has described this situation as a major threat to the public health of France.

So what is being done to combat the problem? Over the past couple of years, the French government has taken away gruesome pictures of decaying, blackened lungs and has, instead, opted for reimbursing cessation advertisements. Likewise, officials have implemented stricter taxes in an attempt to drive the price of cigarettes up from $9 to $12 a pack by the time 2020 rolls around the corner.

Success, mon cher!

According to recent reports from the French Health Ministry, this evasive action for cigarette use has been incredibly successful. In 2017, about 12.2 million French people were smoking, a stark contrast to the 13.2 million smokers in 2016.  While these numbers are certainly low, we still need to consider that 27% of French people are smokers, a number that is considered one of the highest percentages among other members of the European Union.

How bad is that? As an example, 14% of U.S. citizens are active smokers, while 15-16% of people in other Anglo-Saxon countries smoke.

Seeking Treatment for Cigarette Use     

Remember that addiction can be triggered by one shot of alcohol or a single puff of a cigarette, but the true danger of this sickness is that you cannot fully determine how much you have to consume before your mind forms an attachment. Social smoking is just as dangerous as chronic smoking, on many levels, but you do not have to smoke to have a good time. Remember: drugs cannot determine if you have fun and do not have control over your life.

If you are suffering from a severe case of drug abuse or addiction, or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of alcohol withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.

If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.