To find out, Santé publique France has been conducting a multi-phase survey of the general public since the start of the lockdown to track people’s behaviors and how they have changed. According to the survey, about a quarter of smokers report having increased their tobacco use. Trends in alcohol consumption appear less concerning, with about one in ten drinkers reporting an increase in consumption, but one in five reporting a decrease.

More than a quarter of smokers increased their tobacco use during lockdown

When surveyed during lockdown¹, smokers²:

• 27% reported that their tobacco use had increased since the lockdown,

• 55% that it has remained stable

• 19% said it had decreased.

The average increase in the number of cigarettes smoked by daily smokers (94% of smokers surveyed) is 5 cigarettes per day. An increase in tobacco consumption is most frequently reported by those aged 25–34 (41%) and working professionals working from home (37%).

Nearly a quarter of French people have reduced their alcohol consumption

Among the alcohol consumers surveyed³:

• 11% report that their alcohol consumption has increased since the lockdown,

• 65% say it has remained stable

• 24% say it has decreased.

Among those who reported an increase in consumption, 51% reported drinking more frequently, 10% reported drinking more glasses on days they drink, and 23% reported both.

The increase in alcohol consumption is most frequently reported by those under 50 (between 14% and 17% depending on age group), people living in cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants (13% compared to 9% of residents in urban areas with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants), and parents of children under 16 (18% compared to 8% of respondents without children under 16).

Remote support services to help everyone during lockdown and beyond

Tabac Info Service and Alcool Info Service, Santé publique France’s remote support services, stepped up from the very start of the lockdown, providing information and support to anyone who needed it.

However, the initial shock caused by the crisis at the start of lockdown may have led to a decline in the use of these services.

For Tabac Info Service, calls received at 3989 dropped by 19% between March 2019 and 2020 and by 15% between April 2019 and 2020, whereas they had increased by 14% in February. In total, the number of calls received in April was 2,812.

In contrast, for Alcool info Service, after a 12% drop in incoming inquiries (calls, chats, and Q&As) between February and March, inquiries rose by 27% in April to return to normal levels, with a total of nearly 3,872 inquiries.