XXVIII National Conference on Tobacco Addiction and the National Health Service

To mark World No-Tobacco Day 2026, the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) will host the XXVIII National Conference on May 29, 2026. This year’s theme, “Unmasking the appeal – countering nicotine and tobacco addiction,” aligns with the WHO global campaign to expose the evolving tactics used by the industry to attract a new generation of users, often bypassing traditional tobacco control measures. The conference aims to provide a comprehensive update on tobacco and nicotine consumption trends, with a priority focus on the student population aged 11 to 17. Key topics of discussion will include: Recent data on the prevalence of smoking and nicotine use in Italy and globally. Scientific insights into the health risks associated with heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. An overview of the National Anti-Smoking Helpline activities and the latest mapping of Smoking Cessation Centers. The event underscores the urgency of countering nicotine addiction—particularly through synthetic nicotine and targeted digital marketing—to reduce the impact of a risk factor responsible for approximately 7 million deaths worldwide annually and significant premature mortality within the European Union.