Colosseum in Rome

24% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 12.5 million current smokers in Italy

25.3% of men are current smokers but only 17.3% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Italy
Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2024-07-23

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.

93,342

Deaths

93342 people in Italy die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.

12.9 million €

Market size of NRT.

Estimated NRT market size is 12.9 million €.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Italy

Italy abides by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). The Italian law that implements the TPD is Legislative Decree 12 January 2016, No. 6. As such, e-cigarettes are regulated as tobacco products. Indoor vaping bans apply to governmental buildings. Recent (2018) changes in legislation have made distance sales and online sales illegal. Some online commentators fear a recent tax hike, which applies to e-cigarettes but not heated tobacco products, will discourage safer nicotine use. The Chamber of Deputies, on 13th December 2018, approved a tax decree which will reduce the current taxation on e-liquids containing nicotine for electronic cigarettes by 80%. This would reduce the current heavy taxation of almost 4 euros for a 10 ml bottle to a light taxation of 80 cents (for e-liquids containing nicotine).

Heated Tobacco Products

in Italy

In Italy, heated tobacco products may be regulated by Law 188/2014 as smokeless tobacco products, “Tabacchi da inalazione senza combustion” (“Tobacco product for inhalation without combustion”). Also, Italian law n.6/2016, transposes Article 19 of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (covering novel tobacco products) and covers heated tobacco products. Regulations cover reporting, notifications and health warning labels.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Italy

You can buy NRT in Pharmacy.

Snus

in Italy

Snus is legal to use.

Pouches

in Italy

Pouches are allowed.

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.