The life stealer

Cigarette smoking is one of the most important environmental issues and should not be divisive. Instead, even in this case, many people and political forces deny the evidence of the data in the name of a selfish and self-harming freedom. Tobacco smoke is the leading cause of death in Europe with 750 thousand lives lost every year, about 7 million worldwide (1.5 million from passive smoking). Today in Italy, the inhabitants (aged 14 and over) are 51 million and 700 thousand; every year 93 thousand people die from causes related to tobacco smoke (85% are lung cancers). The years of life expectancy lost between smokers and non-smokers are estimated at 8-12 years.

Pay attention to passive smoking: those who smoke indoors in the presence of others harm everyone! The collective cost is estimated at: over 26 billion, including costs for medical care and absenteeism from work. In Italy, still today, 24% of the population (about 11 million) over 14 years old smokes. 21 out of 100 consume more than one pack a day, with a strong increase among women (girls smoke more than boys). Among young people, 30.2% smoke: a high percentage uses traditional cigarettes, heated tobacco, electronic cigarettes and others. Among 14- to 17-year-olds: one student in 3 has used tobacco and nicotine products in recent months. Recent research from the Italian National Institute of Health helps us to better understand students. 7.5% of boys/girls between 11 and 13 years old have used them in the last month; 37.4% of boys (32.2%) and girls (42.1%) aged 14 to 17 years.

The percentage of parents who are aware that their children smoke is, in the highest bracket, 50% . The combined use of traditional cigarettes and electronic devices, with or without nicotine, with heated tobacco and similar products has developed. They are considered less harmful to health, they are often a transition to traditional cigarettes. The introduction of new "vaping" products (by tobacco companies as a new business) seems to have halted the downward trend in the reduction of smokers, which has remained stable in recent years. The component of e-cigarette use was 2% in 2014 and is 4% in 2024. Are "non-cigarettes" a health risk? The responses from researchers and health workers are aligned: there are risks linked to the inhalation of the substances used by the various products in aerosols, both in electronic cigarettes (used with different liquids) and in HTPs (heated tobacco - where the risks of tobacco combustion, i.e. carcinogenic substances, would be reduced).

Every product (with specific substances such as mercury, iron...) causes damage to the respiratory, nervous and cardiovascular systems, and provokes allergic reactions. Among the novelties of the "market" there are pouches or sachets (snuff) containing nicotine to be held in the mouth and "disposable" electronic cigarettes (puff). The transition from these products to nicotine dependence and thus to traditional cigarettes is proven to be brief. 76% of those who attempt to quit fail the attempt, 12% succeed; the rest resume at intervals. Data on smoking in the workplace are improving: the percentage of those who report that the ban is respected goes from 70% in 2008 to 84% in 2024, good results but still to be improved!

A non-profit association takes a huge cigarette-shaped tunnel (14 meters) around Italy, which you enter to meet experts, "measure" lungs, ask questions, and receive advice. On the giant cigarette, on the outside, it is written: «Don't burn your future». Yet, the harmful effects of smoking seem to be a secondary issue, contrary to what the data reports. Over the last ten years, the percentage of smokers remains dramatically stable: 24% of Italians are "impervious" to any reasoning. Worldwide too: the fight against smoking is making progress (the percentage of smokers reduced from 22.3% to 16.4% in 16 years) but it is far from won. The fight against Tobacco dependence needs some general and effective measures such as a) tax increases (see Australia with its $30 per pack), b) shock campaigns on packs, c) public smoke-free areas, d) active prevention and awareness policies, e) massive limitation of passive smoking, f) plain packaging, prohibition of advertising and sponsorships, g) widespread campaigns and help to quit. Measures that would be nice to see soon also in our country, which since 2014 has not seen significant changes to reduce access to cigarettes, especially among young people. Let's then aim to drop to 5% of smokers in 20-25 years: it would be important to obtain homes "free from passive smoking", entirely to the benefit of our young people!


NP August – September 2025
Carlo Degiacomi