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Quick links to detailed datasheets for Italy at gsthr.org

Smoking in Italy

The smoking prevalence in Italy has been going down steadily since 2006, with the exception of 2014-2017 where there was a 3% increase. There are approximately 12.3 million people smoking in the country. 23.4% of the adult population are current smokers, down from 31% in 2006. 27.1% of men smoke whilst 19.6% of women are current smokers. The most recent figures show there were 93,342 annual deaths attributable to tobacco smoking (approximately 27,500 women and 65,800 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 16.85% (women: 7.9%; and men: 20.6%). Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in Italy and there are 721,900 vapers in the country, giving an adult vaping prevalence of 1.37%. Vaping devices can only be sold to those aged 18 and older, packaging must contain a health warning and there are restrictions on the level of nicotine they can contain. Heated tobacco products are legal, but the situation is a bit more complicated for snus. While it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use. It is legal to buy nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products from pharmacies without a prescription and they can be marketed. The NRT market in Italy is worth €12.9 million. For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.

Read articles from Italy

March 04, 2024 by filtermag.org

Why It Matters That Tobacco Harm Reduction Brightens Smiles

A study by the University of Catania found that switching from cigarettes to harm reduction options results in whiter teeth, impacting oral health and aesthetics positively. This research offers compelling evidence supporting the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products over smoking for overall dental well-being. The study suggests that emphasizing the aesthetic benefits of quitting smoking, such as a brighter smile, could motivate individuals, particularly the youth, to switch to less harmful alternatives. Dentists play a crucial role in promoting smoking cessation and harm reduction, highlighting the potential for improved oral health and aesthetics through tobacco alternatives.

August 18, 2023 by ecigintelligence.com

Italy Bans the Online Sale of E-Liquids with Nicotine

The online vaping industry in Italy is poised to experience a significant regulatory overhaul aimed at imposing stricter measures, as the approval of the Tax Delegation Law by the Italian Parliament on 4th August will bring about changes in the online market for nicotine-containing e-liquids.

March 07, 2023 by voanews.com

Italy Ministers Fume Over Proposed Smoking Ban

The Italian health minister's proposals to extend a smoking ban include the outdoor areas of bars and parks, according to details reported by local media, drawing the ire of right-wing Cabinet colleagues who labeled him a "communist."

Minister Orazio Schillaci, a technocrat with no party affiliation, said in January he would crackdown on smoking, including e-cigarettes, which are being widely used by teenagers.

January 18, 2023 by euractiv.com

Italy to ban vaping indoors

Health Minister Orazio Schillaci announced new measures against traditional cigarettes and novel tobacco and nicotine products in a hearing before the Social Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday.

New measures against tobacco will be introduced in Italy to address the prevention and fight against smoking. The government wants to achieve the European Cancer Plan’s goal of creating a ‘tobacco-free generation’.

“Measures will have to be taken to guarantee all citizens maximum protection of their health, a fundamental right of the individual and an interest of the community,” said the minister.

April 22, 2022 by coehar.org

CoEHAR study on ecig flavored liquids: samples are 80% lower risk than smoking

The debate over the safety and efficacy of electronic cigarettes demands strong and accurate evidence by the scientific community. The growing body of knowledge on alternative nicotine delivery systems and the potential benefits for human health if compared to conventional cigarettes pushed researchers to analyze ecig liquids, which differ in nicotine percentages, type and flavors. [...]

By testing some liquids sold in Italy and present also in foreign markets, Coehar researchers analyzed four different e-liquids (flavored with different varieties of tobacco) by Dreamods.

March 24, 2022 by vaping360.com

Italy Will Reduce E-Liquid Tax April 1st

Italy is adjusting its e-liquid tax for the fourth time in four years, and this time the changes will favor vaping consumers. The new rates will take effect April 1, following final passage by the Senate in late February.

The country has reduced the taxes on e-liquids to levels set in 2021 by repealing the scheduled increase that took effect in January 2022. The tax rate on e-liquids containing nicotine will decrease from €0.175 (U.S. equivalent: $0.19) per milliliter to €0.13, and the zero-nicotine e-liquid tax will fall from €0.13/mL to €0.08.

February 09, 2022 by coehar.org

Philippines: CoEHAR researchers express full support for the VPN Bill

The House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines approved on third Reading the Vaporized Nicotine Product Bill to regulate the manufacture, sale and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products
[...] All 79 CoEHAR researchers expressed their support to government decision through a letter sent to the President of thePhilippines, in which we read “harm reduction in the context of tobacco control is a key instrument for disease prevention. There are preventable cancer and cardiopulmonary deaths, due to the underutilization of tobacco harm reduction strategies”.

January 19, 2021 by bbc.com

Italy smoking: Want to light up in Milan? Not any more, you can't

Smoking within a 10m (30ft) distance of other people is no longer permitted from Tuesday at bus and tram stops as well as in the city's parks and green spaces, sports and recreational grounds, children's play areas, stadiums and cemeteries.

Italy was the first country in the EU to pass a law backing an indoor ban on smoking in public places in 2003.

Milan is now the first Italian city to introduce such an extensive outdoor ban, part of a package of measures to improve air quality and combat climate change.

March 17, 2020 by filtermag.org

A Scientist Persuaded Italy to Exempt Vape Shops From COVID-19 Lockdown

Italy has seen the worst outbreak of COVID-19 outside of China, after cases first appeared in the Lombardy region but quickly spread to other regions. [...] To stem the spread, the government adopted some of the most stringent measures in the world, banning all public gatherings, closing schools and shutting down most commercial businesses, including bars and restaurants. Vape shops were originally included but are now exempt. And the country has one man in particular to thank for that.

November 30, 2018 by vapingpost.com

Italy Celebrates Huge Reductions in Excise Tax on E-Liquids

With votes by Italy’s League and Five Stars (Coalition), the consumption tax on e-liquids is reduced by a significant 90% on non-nicotine-containing liquids, and 80% on the nicotine containing types. With regards to online sales, e-cig manufacturers will also be able to sell e-liquids online after registering with the tax (customs) warehouse. Additionally, from now on, manufacturers must comply with the European Tobacco Directive (TPD), and can only sell nicotine liquids that contain a maximum nicotine concentration of 20 milligrams per milliliter.

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