The share of daily smokers in Italy has diminished in the last decade, shifting from an average of 22.8 percent in 2010 to 19.8 percent in 2024. As of 2024, the highest percentage of smokers among Italians aged 14 years and older was found in Basilicata, where roughly 23.9 people per 100 residents were smokers. Conversely, the region with the lowest share of individuals smoking was Trentino-South Tyrol, with around 16.3 percent.Â
Smoking habits
In addition to the percentage decrease in daily smokers in Italy, smoking habits have also changed in terms of the number of cigarettes smoked per person. When it comes to the number of cigarettes smoked daily, a decrease in the percentage of people smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day could be observed from 2010 to 2024. There is also an increase in the percentage of people smoking up to five cigarettes a day.Â
Smokers’ profile
Gender and age play an important role when looking at the probability of being a regular smoker. In 2024, the share of smokers in Italy was higher among males, which accounted for 23.2 percent of the male population, whereas only 16.5 percent of females were regular smokers. During the same year, the age group with the highest percentage of smokers was those between 25 and 44 years, with 26.5 percent. This percentage grew to 35.3 when considering just the population who stopped studying after lower secondary school.