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Main article: France
2023
France's anti-tobacco strategy fails
In early July 2023, it became known that the strategy of anti-tobacco bans in France was ineffective. This was stated by the French oncologist, professor at the University of Pierre and Marie Curie David Khayat.
We are talking about a ban on smoking in public places, as well as an increase in prices for tobacco products. However, according to statistics, almost two thirds of people - approximately 64% - continue to smoke even after making an oncological diagnosis. In such a situation, other methods of combating tobacco addiction are required, including those based on strategies to reduce harmful effects.
WHO data show that about 1 billion people smoke in the world. At the same time, every eighth of them develops lung cancer, which in numerical terms means up to 80 million cases of lung cancer. And most of these people will sadly die, "Hayat said. |
The French oncologist cited the data of Russian specialists as an example. According to him, both in 1990 and in 2019, smoking was the leader among all risk factors for the development of malignant tumors. At the same time, alcohol shifted to the third position, giving way to obesity. In the Russian Federation, smoking is the main cause of mortality. Thus, in Russia, anti-tobacco measures did not work - as in France. At the same time, the experience of Great Britain and Japan suggests that the growth in sales of smokeless products leads to a subsequent decrease in demand for conventional cigarettes.
We must understand that people smoke for a dose of nicotine, but die from tobacco combustion products. Nicotine is an addictive chemical, but it does not cause cancer and is not a carcinogen. So, the WHO lists the full list of carcinogens in tobacco smoke - however, nicotine is not mentioned in it, - said Hayat.[1] |
Protests by medical unions demanding higher salaries
In February 2023, protests by medical workers' unions continue in France, demanding better working conditions and higher wages. Several years of fighting COVID-19 and indifference of the authorities to health care led to massive layoffs of doctors.
Trade unions "Federation of Doctors of France," "French Union for Private Doctors," "Union of Private Doctors" and "Young Doctors" took to the streets demanding an increase in the cost of admission for patients. At this time, it is €25, of which, after deducting taxes and fees, the doctor receives only nine.
In some hospitals, up to 90% of staff refuse to work in the current conditions: the load has increased significantly with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained high for three years.
At the beginning of 2023, the number of cases increased even more due to seasonal colds and flu, as a result of which the medical staff nicknamed the past month "Black January."
A situation similar to the French scenario is developing in Britain, where thousands of health workers have taken to the streets demanding more wages. The strike has become the largest in the country in 75 years.
Personnel shortage due to poor working conditions of doctors
According to the World Health Organization, almost half of French doctors are approaching retirement age, and young specialists do not want to go to work in state clinics due to heavy workloads and low salaries.
Even fewer people want to get into hospitals in areas remote from large cities, which are called "medical deserts." It is almost impossible to get to the doctor there, since there are 750 patients per specialist.
Another problem is the massive layoffs of junior medical staff. The National Nurses Association estimates that 40% of working nurses want to leave the profession. In recent years, their salaries have become higher, but workers have to go on shifts at night and on weekends. It is difficult to withstand such loads, and people prefer to quit and look for another job.
In the healthcare sector, a vicious circle has formed: due to the lack of personnel, it is necessary to work more, which leads to even more layoffs.
2021
Requirement for universal vaccination of doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic
In the summer of 2021, the French government delivered an ultimatum to medical workers and firefighters: every employee unvaccinated from COVID-19 will be suspended from work. The requirement was presented to doctors, junior medical personnel, employees of nursing homes, private doctors, social workers caring for the elderly and people with disabilities.
The measures taken by the authorities caused discontent among citizens and led to mass protests. According to the demonstrators, they did not oppose vaccines, but against compulsory vaccination. Despite the demonstrations, the decision to suspend a number of employees was not overturned. The exact number of "removed" remains unknown, but most French publications speak of several thousand people.
Despite the obvious problems in the field, health care the authorities France in February 2023 [1] refuse to reconsider the decision to remove unvaccinated doctors from work. The government does not want to look for and eliminate the causes of the crisis, preferring to hire foreigners who, as it turned out, do not have to agree to vaccination at all.
Duration of maternity leave
in2020
Duration of guaranteed paid sick leave 6 months or more
In France, 59% of citizens would agree to vaccination against COVID-19
2019
Health Care Cost Dynamics
High proportion of doctors over 55 years of age
Chronic depression affects 7.7% of the population aged 15 + years
at 152018: 33.2% of women smoke tobacco
2006
Main article: Smoking