Prevalence of tobacco smoking and electronic cigarette use among adolescents in Italy: Global Youth Tobacco Surveys (GYTS), 2010, 2014, 2018.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the trends in tobacco smoking and electronic cigarette use among adolescents in Italy. The study compares data from three repeat national cross-sectional surveys conducted before and after the implementation of the European Union - Tobacco Product Directive (EU-TPD) and its transposition into Italy, and before Juul entered the Italian market. The paper examines the prevalence of smoking and vaping, access to cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, and the impact of the EU-TPD on adolescent use of these products.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the Global Youth Tobacco Surveys (GYTS) conducted in Italy in 2010, 2014, and 2018.
* The prevalence of current smokers and/or current vapers combined increased from 20.7% in 2010 to 27.9% in 2018.
* Although the prevalence of current smokers remained relatively stable, the prevalence of current vapers significantly increased from 0% in 2010 to 17.5% in 2018.
* The prevalence of current exclusive vapers recorded a 3-fold increase from 2.9% in 2014 to 8.2% in 2018.
* 42% of ever vapers used nicotine-free electronic cigarettes, and only 5% of current users were frequent vapers (≥20 days in the past month).
* About 65% of current smokers and 76% of current vapers easily accessed to cigarettes or electronic cigarettes in 2018.
* The EU-TPD, implemented in Italy in 2016, does not seem to have slowed down the increase in vaping among Italian adolescents before Juul entered the Italian market.

Main Message:
The study highlights the significant increase in electronic cigarette use among Italian adolescents, particularly after the implementation of the EU-TPD. Despite the regulations aimed at preventing smoking and electronic cigarette use among adolescents, the prevalence of current vapers has significantly increased. The study suggests that additional research is needed to show a clear association between regulatory changes introduced by EU-TPD and the impact on electronic cigarette use and smoking among adolescents in Italy, UK, and the EU. The findings emphasize the need for effective regulations and policies to prevent adolescent use of tobacco and electronic cigarettes.

Gorini G, Gallus S, Carreras G, et al. Prevalence of tobacco smoking and electronic cigarette use among adolescents in Italy: Global Youth Tobacco Surveys (GYTS), 2010, 2014, 2018. Preventive medicine. 2020;131:105903. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105903