Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Smoking in Italy - Statistics & Facts
Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of premature deaths from cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Over the last years, the prevalence of smokers in Italy has declined mostly due to health concerns and rising prices. However, the decline of cigarettes may be counterbalanced by an increase in demand for heated tobacco and e-cigarette products, which around 30 percent of Italians believed are a surrogate or a valid alternative to smoking cigarettes in 2019. In 2024, around 19.8 percent of the Italian population older than 14 years smoked, whereas in 2010 this figure amounted to 22.8 percent. Globally, as well as in Italy, smoking is generally more common among males than among females of every age.
