The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: To examine results from the implementation of the italian smoking ban

Methods: On January 10, 2005, was implemented in Italy a smoking ban in all enclosed places. Support and evaluation of this law includes: a hotline, surveys of bar and restaurant owners, a national behavioural risk factor survey, inspections, market research on sales of tobacco and smoking cessation products.

Results: Hotline: During the first month, 4032 calls were received; < 3% were complaints about the law. Bar and restaurant survey: In the 1600 locals visited observed smoking declined from 31% to 0.3% after implementation. Most proprietors (74%) reported customers are satisfied with the law. Only 12% lamented a significant declines in revenues. Eighty percent of the smoker owners had reduced cigarette use or tried to quit.. BRFS: Among smokers, 40% decreased the number of cigarettes smoked since the law went into effect. Inspections: Fines were issued in 4.9% of the inspections conducted from January to March 2005, mostly for lack of compliance with required signage rather than for smoking where forbidden. Marketing data: Between January-October 2005, sales of cigarettes decreased nearly 6% in comparison with the same period in 2004. During the first nine months after implementation, a substantial increase in the sales of cessation products (+90%) was observed. Conclusion: Italy is the largest European country to have banned smoking in all enclosed places. The law has been clearly understood, generally respected and widely supported by principal stakeholders. Furthermore, it seems to have resulted in a decrease of tobacco consumption.