In Corrèze and Haute-Vienne a quarter of the population is addicted to cigarettes and smokes daily but their numbers have declined since 2016, the year the “Tobacco Free Month” operation was set up in November. And for the Limousin André Nguyen, the medical coordinator of the CORREAD association (the regional coordination of addictions in New Aquitaine) this month of November “allows you to challenge yourself by stopping or thinking about stopping or reducing your tobacco consumption“.”And for people who do not get there the first time, we can very well take steps“he adds.
“We have tools for people who are afraid of scarcity“- André Nguyen
“Often times when a person tries to quit smoking during the tobacco-free month, it is not their first attempt so they have concerns. “continues the medical coordinator.”Corn we have plenty of tools for people who are afraid of scarcity such as patches that reduce consumption or electronic cigarettes or even meditation, sport, hypnotherapy and it helps people who have fears about the gestures related to cigarettes“. And for him the important thing is not to be afraid to try and relapse. “To stop over the long term it takes an average of 5 stops“further explains André Nguyen because for him we have the right to fail in learning not to smoke.
He also notes that during confinement it is among the most precarious that tobacco consumption has increased the most.
Sandrine’s testimony in Haute-Vienne: 1 year without tobacco
It was during the tobacco-free month in November 2020 that Sandrine, a resident of Haute-Vienne, decided to put out her last cigarette. For her this decision can be summed up in one word “freedom”. “When I only had two cigarettes left in the evening, I was telling myself how I’m going to keep going, I absolutely have to find a tobacco shop“says Sandrine, who then traveled for miles to buy a pack of cigarettes.”We are completely trapped in this drug and now I feel free and the day I quit smoking I got up and was no longer afraid of dying“testifies again the young woman who has not therefore touched a cigarette for a year.