Just hours before the launch of the "Month Without Tobacco," French people who want to quit smoking can still join the initiative. From November 1st to 30th, 2026, Public Health France , the Ministry of Health, and the National Health Insurance Fund are organizing the eleventh edition of this national prevention campaign. The goal is simple: to support smokers for 30 days without cigarettes, through personalized advice, free resources, and professional support. Registration, open since October 1st, remains accessible on the official website mois-sans-tabac.fr.
Since its creation in 2016, the "Month Without Tobacco" campaign has brought together more than 2,5 million participants, including over 117,000 in 2025. This mobilization responds to a significant need: according to Public Health France , 55% of daily smokers say they want to quit. To help them take the plunge, organizers offer a free kit including a 40-day program, with ten days of preparation and thirty days of the challenge, as well as a wheel to calculate the savings made by giving up cigarettes. This kit can be downloaded online or picked up at participating pharmacies. More than 18,000 pharmacies are participating in the campaign this year, while information booths are also set up in various public places.
Free access to tobacco cessation specialists and reimbursed nicotine replacement therapies.
Participants can also benefit from personalized support through Tabac Info Service. The number 39 89, available Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 20 p.m., allows them to speak with a tobacco cessation specialist free of charge, excluding any potential call charges. A free mobile app also offers a coaching program, advice tailored to individual habits, and tools to track progress. For those experiencing difficulties related to nicotine withdrawal, substitutes such as patches, gum, or lozenges can be recommended by a healthcare professional. When prescribed, these treatments are reimbursed at 65% by the French National Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie). Doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, and physiotherapists are among those authorized to prescribe them.
Beyond the collective challenge, the "Month Without Tobacco" campaign aims to encourage a lasting cessation. According to data highlighted by Public Health France, going thirty days without a cigarette increases the chances of successfully quitting in the long term fivefold. Participating in the campaign with support also doubles the chances of success a year later, compared to attempting it without outside help. The health stakes remain considerable: smoking is estimated to have caused more than 68,000 deaths in France in 2023, making it the leading cause of preventable death in the country. For smokers who are still hesitant, registration requires no financial commitment and can be a first step towards quitting. Even in case of difficulty or relapse, professionals recommend continuing the process rather than abandoning the goal altogether.
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