Anti-smoking plan, shortage of hospital staff, respiratory diseases in China… Aurélien Rousseau’s “8h30 franceinfo”

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The Minister of Health and Prevention was the guest of “8h30 franceinfo”, Wednesday November 29.

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The Minister of Health and Prevention, Aurélien Rousseau, on franceinfo on November 29, 2023. (FRANCEINFO / RADIO FRANCE)

Aurélien Rousseau, Minister of Health and Prevention, was the guest of “8h30 franceinfo”, Wednesday November 29. Government anti-smoking plan, shortage of hospital staff, respiratory diseases in China… IHe responded to Jérôme Chapuis and Salhia Brakhlia.

Rising tobacco prices: “we cannot let 200 people die a day”

For the minister, the government “must react” faced with the number of tobacco-related deaths. The price of a pack of cigarettes will increase to 12 euros in 2025, then 13 euros in 2026. This is “a public health measure”, he insists. But, “it can’t work if it’s just punitive”it is therefore necessary to bet on a “support plan”, believes Aurélien Rousseau.

Tobacco-free spaces: “The goal is first and foremost good citizenship”

Another measure of the plan presented by the government, the number of tobacco-free spaces will be extended to beaches, parks and around public places. Aurélien Rousseau, Minister of Health, calls on franceinfo “common sense” and at “civility”.

“Only in France do we smoke next to schools”

Aurélien Rousseau

at franceinfo

The objective is to protect “the most fragile”with “a contraventional system”specifies Aurélien Rousseau, before specifying that the goal, “it’s civics first”.

The Minister of Health also ensures that he is working on “a map” on alcohol, but “the leading cause of death remains tobacco”declares Aurélien Rousseau. “We are working on it”particularly on “fetal alcoholism”.

Medical franchises: the minister “ready to take this measure”

Asked about the doubling of medical deductibles, the Minister of Health indicates that at this stage,“there is no decision”. Medical deductibles are an additional charge that all policyholders pay for each box of medication or paramedical procedure (physiotherapy, nursing care, etc.). “As soon as I was appointed” Minister of Health, in July 2023, “I announced it as a possible measure”underlines Aurélien Rousseau.

The Minister of Health “is ready” to defend this measure “because these resources will be used to finance improvements to the hospital”he assures. “This is something that will be used for the health system, not for other measures for the state, for example.” However, Aurélien Rousseau “makes the commitment to come back to the front” both houses of Parliament, “the day when a decision will be” socket.

Respiratory diseases in China: a bacteria that we “know well”

In China, cases of respiratory diseases continue to appear to the point of arousing concern from the World Health Organization. Aurélien Rousseau, wants to be reassuring: “We have six months of stock” of antibiotics to treat possible patients in France. The minister specifies that he is in contact “every day” with the WHO to take stock.

According to Aurélien Rousseau, “What emerges today, inevitably with uncertainties, is that they are experiencing a rebound in the number of pneumonias which are linked to a bacteria called Mycoplasma”. And unlike Covid-19, four years ago, “We know this bacteria well. (…) it is not a virus.”

“My only fight”, at the hospital, “is to recruit and retain”

“By the end of the year, we will reopen 3,000-4,000 beds”affirms Aurélien Rousseau. “My only fight is to recruit and retain” to try to fill the staff shortage at the hospital, he adds.

According to him, “there was a subject of salary”which is today “partly filled” by the announcements of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne at the end of last August. The Minister of Health also mentions a “good news” : “we have the best recruitment campaigns for paramedical staff”he affirms and even, “for ten years, we have been reopening beds, particularly at Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris”.

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Find the entire “8:30 am franceinfo” from Wednesday November 29:


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