Smoking, 27% of cancer cases and 26 bn costs: Italy's first campaign to increase the price of cigarettes by 5 euro

The initiative is promoted by the Italian Medical Oncology Association, the Airc Foundation for Cancer Research, the Umberto Veronesi Foundation and the Aiom Foundation: it aims to collect the at least 5,000 signatures required for a popular initiative bill

by Health Review

23 January 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The collection of signatures has started for a popular initiative bill to increase the cost of all smoking and nicotine inhalation products by EUR 5, including the new generation products i.e. electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco.

Where and how to sign

All citizens of legal age can sign, by going to the Ministry of Justice platform (click here) and using their Spid, Cie (Electronic Identity Card) or Cns (National Services Card). 50,000 signatures are needed to submit the bill to Parliament, which will then have to debate it. The primary objective is to combat smoking. In addition, this public health initiative provides resources for the National Health Service.

The campaign 5eurocontroilfumo.it, the first of its kind ever realised in Italy, was presented in Milan and is promoted by Aiom-Associazione italiana di Oncologia medica, Fondazione Airc per la ricerca sul cancro, Fondazione Umberto Veronesi and Fondazione Aiom.

All the costs of smoking

"We call on all citizens to sign and join this campaign, which represents a battle for civilisation," explains Francesco Perrone, President of the Aiom Foundation. Cigarette smoking is the main cancer risk factor. 27% of all cancer cases are caused by smoking, which is responsible for 93,000 deaths every year in Italy. For every week of smoking, a smoker loses a day of life. A terrible human cost, with a dramatic social impact and on the sustainability of the National Health Service. In our country alone, the pathologies caused by this habit generate direct and indirect costs of 26 billion euros. It is estimated that a 5 euro increase in the price of cigarettes in Italy, which today is among the lowest in Europe, could encourage a 37% reduction in consumption. In this way, we could reduce the number of smokers and save lives. Secondly, the increased revenue will help finance the National Health Service, on whose efficiency the health of millions of citizens depends'.

Lung cancer first EU killer

"Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both sexes in the countries of the European Union, as highlighted also by a recent epidemiological study supported by Airc. The results of the work confirm that tobacco control remains the mainstay of prevention for this pathology and contributes to reducing the incidence of other cancers, such as pancreatic cancer,' emphasises Daniele Finocchiaro, CEO of the Airc Foundation. 'In order to submit the popular initiative bill to the President of either branch of Parliament, the signatures of at least 50,000 people are required. This is why we consider a choral mobilisation with the involvement of scientific societies, patient associations and the civil community to be essential. We hope that the institutions at the highest levels will also be sensitive to such an important public health issue and recognise the urgency of a regulation to prevent smoking-related diseases, especially cancer, because investing in prevention means investing in the country's future'.

Cases on among women

"Ninety per cent of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking, amounting to over 40,000 diagnoses every year in Italy," says Giulia Veronesi, Member of the Umberto Veronesi Foundation's Committee for the Fight Against Smoking. "Smoking has historically been the prerogative of men, but there has been an increase among women in recent years. Today, in our country, 20% of the female population is a smoker. New diagnoses of this neoplasm in men have decreased, but among women they have increased. Between 2003 and 2017, the incidence of lung cancer in men decreased by 16.7%, while in women it increased by 84.3%. This is a very dangerous trend that needs to be addressed with appropriate legislative measures, starting with increasing the cost of cigarettes. There are at least 27 smoking-related diseases, including non-neoplastic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smoking is also one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors'.

Tabagist 10% of the <19

"International experience has shown that drastically increasing the price of cigarettes is an effective strategy to really reduce the number of smokers," concludes Massimo Di Maio, Aiom President. In Italy, almost a quarter of adults smoke, and the prevalence among young people is worrying. Ten per cent of those under 19 are smokers and the behaviour tends to continue for the rest of their lives. Increasing the cost of cigarettes and other smoking products can be very beneficial, especially for younger people, who usually have less money, and would also steer adults away from this dangerous habit. By quitting smoking, they will benefit not only their health but also their wallets".