BACKGROUND: Innovative tobacco control policies, such as raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco to 21 years (Tobacco 21, T21), banning tobacco sales to person born after a certain year (Smoke-Free Generation, SFG), increasing tobacco taxation, banning e-cigarettes (e-cigs) and heated tobacco products (HTP) in indoor public places and workplaces, and prohibiting tobacco and e-cigs advertising, aim to reduce smoking and secondhand smoke and aerosol exposure. This study assesses the support of the Italian population for these measures.
METHODS: A face-to-face survey was conducted among a representative sample of 3125 Italian adults. Support for T21, SFG, increasing tobacco taxation, banning e-cigs and HTPs in indoor public spaces and workplaces, and banning tobacco and e-cigs advertisements was evaluated based on sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, and e-cigs and HTPs use.
RESULTS: Overall, 72.9% and 67.0% of respondents supported T21 and SFG laws, respectively, while 61.46% supported increasing tobacco taxes, 80.8% supported banning e-cigs and HTPs in indoor places, 81.7% supported banning e-cigs and HTPs in workplaces, and 78.2% supported banning tobacco and e-cigs advertising. Support for T21 and the advertising ban increases with increasing age (p-values for trend <0.01). People with higher income are more supportive to tax increases and workplace bans on e-cigs and HTPs (multivariable odds ratios, OR, ranging between 1.56 and 1.94). Never smokers show significantly higher support for all policies compared to current smokers (OR ranging between 0.05 and 0.22). HTP users are less supportive of the indoor and workplace ban on e-cigs and HTPs and the advertising ban (OR ranging between 0.41 and 0.59).
CONCLUSIONS: In Italy, there is widespread public support for new tobacco control legislation, particularly among never smokers and in older age groups. Public awareness campaigns should aim to increase support among smokers, young people and other less supportive groups.