Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci has presented a series of updated anti-smoking measures to parliament, extending strict tobacco restrictions to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices. The proposed policy aims to curb rising smoking rates and align national regulations with the European Union target to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2040.
Speaking before the Social Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, Schillaci emphasized the government’s duty to address evolving consumption habits. “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,” he stated.
Eliminating Indoor Exceptions and Expanding Outdoor Bans
The proposed legislation marks a direct shift in how non-combustible alternatives are treated under Italian law. Under the updated framework, the exemptions previously enjoyed by users of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) will end.
The core provisions outlined by the Health Ministry include:
- Abolishing Indoor Smoking Rooms: Enclosed smoking areas inside restaurants, bars, and public buildings will no longer be permitted.
- Protecting Vulnerable Groups Outdoors: Smoking and vaping in open-air settings will be prohibited when minors or pregnant women are present.
- Complete Advertising Restrictions: The ban on advertising traditional cigarettes will apply to all nicotine delivery systems, including modern nicotine pouches.
Previously, bans on outdoor smoking were limited to municipal actions, such as Milan prohibiting smoking at bus stops and in public parks, or regional plans in Puglia targeting public beaches. The new directive establishes a nationwide baseline.
Shifting Policy on Novel Nicotine Products
The announcement comes exactly two decades after Italy passed the Sirchia Law, which took effect in 2005 and established indoor smoking bans across restaurants and bars. While that law reduced consumption for years, recent national health data indicates that tobacco use is rising again.
| Metric / Indicator | Reported Value | Public Health Context |
|---|---|---|
| National Smoking Rate | 25% (approx. 11.6 million) | Increased by 800,000 users over two years |
| Annual Tobacco-Related Deaths | 93,000+ deaths | Responsible for 20.6% of male mortality |
| Annual Healthcare Costs | Over €26 billion | Combined direct and indirect medical expenses |
| Heated Tobacco Use (2019 vs Today) | Increased to 3.3% | 36.6% of users view HTPs as less harmful |
| E-Cigarette Use (2019 vs Today) | Increased from 1.7% to 2.4% | Growing adoption across younger demographics |
Addressing Commercial Interests in Public Health
The policy update also addresses Italy’s position as a major European market for heated tobacco devices. In 2016, Philip Morris International opened a dedicated manufacturing hub in the country, supported by favorable tax arrangements and political lobbying.
Italy had previously joined countries like Greece, Bulgaria, and Cyprus in questioning European Commission Delegated Directive 2022/2100, which removes flavor and tax exemptions for heated tobacco. Minister Schillaci indicated that public health must now take priority over commercial considerations.
“This process is intended to ensure that the multiple interests linked to tobacco products, including at the level of economic ministers, do not override those of health protection,” Schillaci said.
The ministry plans to transpose the European Union delegated directive into Italian law, removing market exemptions for heated products and standardizing health warnings across all categories.
