What if smoking cost five euros more? The first popular anti-tobacco bill is launched.

Making smoking so expensive that it discourages young people, especially those who do not, saves lives, and frees up resources for a healthcare system that is desperately lacking. This is the goal of the major campaign launched today by AIOM, Fondazione AIRC, Fondazione Umberto Veronesi, and Fondazione AIOM , which have presented a popular bill to introduce a flat €5 excise tax on all tobacco and nicotine inhalation products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco. The campaign was presented today in the Senate, during a national conference on the eve of the 27th AIOM Congress, at the initiative of Senate Vice President Mariolina Castellone.

Young People and Smoking: A Real Alarm

In Italy, nearly one in four adults smokes regularly. But even more concerning is the prevalence among young people: one in five adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 smokes daily. A habit that, if acquired at such a young age, tends to last a lifetime. For this very reason, the scientific society AIOM and the major cancer foundations are launching an unprecedented national mobilization: to collect 50,000 signatures to present the proposal to Parliament.

“A law to truly reduce smoking”

"We are asking the institutions for a law in the manner and within the terms established by the Constitution," stated Francesco Perrone (AIOM), Daniele Finocchiaro (AIRC Foundation), Giulia Veronesi (Veronesi Foundation), and Saverio Cinieri (AIOM Foundation) . "Despite the restrictions passed in recent decades, too many Italians still smoke. Smoking is one of the main risk factors for cancer: we must strengthen every tool for quitting." The promoters cite the examples of France and Ireland, which have introduced significant price increases and seen the number of smokers decline. "A €5 increase per pack could reduce consumption by 37%. Our goal is to make smoking an economically unsustainable practice, especially among young people. At the same time, the additional revenue will fund the National Health Service, benefiting everyone, especially cancer patients."

The high cost of smoking in Italy

In Italy alone, tobacco-related diseases cost over €24 billion annually. Hospitalizations related to the main smoking-related diseases alone account for €1.64 billion. And the human toll is even more dramatic: 93,000 deaths per year. Cigarettes cause not only lung cancer, but also cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas, colon, bladder, prostate, and kidney. In total, there are at least 27 smoking-related diseases, including chronic respiratory diseases (such as COPD) and cardiovascular diseases. A smoker has a risk of dying from coronary heart disease up to five times higher than a person who has never smoked.

A widespread campaign across the entire territory

"The signature drive will begin in the next few days," explain Perrone, Finocchiaro, Veronesi, and Cinieri, "thanks to the network of volunteers, doctors, and cancer centers across the country. The goal is to bring Parliament to debate a concrete measure with a strong impact on public health. We hope the institutions will respond with the same sensitivity they already demonstrated for the right to be forgotten in cancer, which was approved unanimously."

“Excise duties too low compared to the rest of Europe”

The excise tax data also reinforces the proposal: "In our country, tobacco taxes are among the lowest in Europe," explains Maria Sofia Cattaruzza , professor of Public Health at Sapienza University of Rome. "In Italy, taxes are only €3.19 per pack, compared to €7.45 in France and €9.92 in Ireland. In both countries, where sharp increases were introduced, there has been a significant decline in regular smokers. These are virtuous models that Italy should adopt as soon as possible."