About tobacco smoking
Regular tobacco use is one of the most pressing public health challenges worldwide and one of the main risk factors for neoplastic, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that, by 2030, the annual death toll from tobacco smoking will reach 8 million.
Contrary to popular belief, tobacco smoking is not only responsible for lung cancer. It is also the primary risk factor for non-neoplastic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases: indeed, smokers are 3 to 5 times more likely to die from coronary artery disease than non-smokers. In addition, lifelong smokers have a 50% probability of dying from a tobacco-related disease, possibly by the age of 45-54.
In general, smokers’ quality of life is seriously compromised by more frequent respiratory (e.g. cough, catarrh, recurring bronchitis and asthma) and heart conditions (e.g. hypertension, stroke, and heart attack).
Italy was the first major European country to introduce specific legislation (Law 3/2003 on “Health protection of non-smokers”) to regulate smoking in all enclosed public and private places.
Smoking cessation
In Italy, an anti-smoking toll-free hotline (800-55-40-88) was launched on 2 May 2000 by the National Observatory for Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. This anonymous service is available from Monday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm.