Attitudes toward tobacco and nicotine control policies in Italy: insights from a 2024 national survey

INTRODUCTION: This study assesses the Italian population's support for innovative tobacco control policies, which aims at reducing use of nicotine-containing products and exposure to secondhand smoke and aerosol. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among a representative sample of 3125 Italian adults. We assessed support on banning tobacco sales to people born after a certain year (Smoke-Free Generation, SFG), raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco to 21 years (Tobacco 21, T21), substantially increasing tobacco taxation, banning electronic cigarettes (e-cigarette) and heated tobacco products (HTP) in indoor public places and workplaces, and prohibiting tobacco and e-cigs advertising. RESULTS: Support for tobacco control policies was 67.0% for the SFG policy, 72.9% for the T21 policy, 61.5% for a tax increase, 80.8% for a ban on indoor e-cigarette and HTP use in public places and 81.7% in workplaces, respectively, and 78.2% for an advertising ban for all nicotine products. Support for all policies increased with age (P-values for trend ranging from