Study: How Smokers in Italy Use E-Cigarettes

This study, titled "How Smokers in Italy Use E-Cigarettes, Environments, and Adverse Events," aims to determine the usage patterns and environments of e-cigarettes and their potential adverse consequences. To this end, researchers conducted a survey of regular smokers participating in Italy's smoking cessation services (SCS).

 

Between 2016 and 2018, a total of 395 regular smokers aged 18 and older participated in smoking cessation services in Northern, Central, and Southern Italy. The aggregated data showed that 12.4% of participants were regular smokers, and 9.4% were occasional smokers, with the former accounting for 78.2%. Among all those who had used e-cigarettes, 93.8% consumed nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, and 95.9% used refillable devices, while the consumption rate of e-cigarettes or liquids purchased from vape shops was 76.6%.

 

The average usage time for e-cigarettes was 3.7 months, with an average daily puff count of 86. Among users, 71.5% had used vapes in at least one smoke-free indoor environment, 53.7% in workplaces, 49.5% in restaurants and bars, 33.5% in train/subway stations or airports, and 18.4% on public transport.

 

The use of vaping products in smoke-free environments significantly decreased with age, while it increased with longer usage time and nicotine dependence. A total of 47.1% of participants reported at least one adverse event attributed to vaping: dry cough 19.5%, dry mouth 12.0%, throat or oral irritation 7.6%, and sore throat 6.8%.

 

The researchers concluded that in Italy, most smokers use vaping products in places where smoking is prohibited instead of traditional cigarettes. Additionally, they found that despite relatively short usage times, about half of users reported one or more symptoms attributable to e-cigarettes.

 

Reduction of Value-Added Tax

In 2018, the coalition and five-star alliance in Italy voted to significantly reduce the consumption tax on e-liquid for e-cigarettes, reducing it by 90% for non-nicotine liquids and by 80% for nicotine-containing liquids.

 

Through these votes, the amendments to the tax decree have redefined the consumption tax on e-liquid, which has been submitted to the Senate Finance Committee. The tax rate for non-nicotine liquids is 4 cents per milliliter, and for nicotine-containing liquids, it is 8 cents. Compared to previous tax rates, both liquid types have significantly lower rates, with the previous rate being about 40 cents per milliliter.