Italy

Tobacco Control Policies

Italy became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on September 30, 2008.

Smoke Free Places: The law prohibits smoking in most enclosed places, including indoor workplaces and indoor public places. However, the law allows designated smoking rooms if the designated smoking rooms comply with strict technical standards. For catering establishments (restaurants, bars, and nightclubs), smoking must be prohibited in at least half of the area of the establishment. Smoking is prohibited in public transportation, and in private vehicles if a child or pregnant woman is present.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law bans many forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including TV, radio, internet, and most print media. However, the definition of “tobacco advertising” does not clearly cover all promotional activity and, therefore, some tobacco promotion may be allowed. Point of sale product display is allowed. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: For smoked tobacco products, rotating pictorial health warnings must occupy 65 percent of both the front and back of the package. For smokeless tobacco products,a single text health warning must occupy 30 percent of the front and back of the package. Misleading packaging and labeling, which could include terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Italy are below these recommendations.   

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN
Health-care facilities No
Private offices No
Primary and secondary schools No
Public transport Yes
Universities No
Restaurants No
Governmental facilities No
Bars and Pubs No
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions? Yes
BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP
Domestic TV and radio Yes
Promotional discounts No
Domestic magazines and newspapers Yes
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names Yes
Outdoor advertising Yes
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names Yes
Point-of-sale advertising Yes
Paid placement in media Yes
Retail product display No
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility Yes
Internet advertising Yes
Publicity of sponsorships Yes
Free distribution No
HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Text warnings describe health impacts Yes
Number of published warnings at any given time 14
Warnings include a picture or graphic Yes
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 65%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 65%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 65%
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products Yes
TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE
PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE)
In country currency 6.00 EUR
Total taxes 77%
In US dollars 6.12 USD
Total excise 59%

Sources:

SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org

Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2023. Available at: www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/tobacco-control/global-tobacco-report-2023

Last updated: February 14, 2022