Smokers in Lombardy, one in four chooses the electronic cigarette. « But it is as harmful as the traditional one »

Less smokers among the Lombards, but the people of the « vapors » grows. Especially among the under 25 They see in the e-cig, in electronic devices and in the new found, such as the « nicotine bags » to be inserted between lip and gum, a fashion to be indulged without considering its risks. The photograph of smoking habits was commissioned to SWG by the regional coordination of Lilt, the Italian League for the fight against cancer. « A monitoring to be always updated and aware of the reality that we must face to defend people’s health, » says the Lombard coordinator Ilaria Malvezzi. The occasion of the presentation of the data, released yesterday at Palazzo Lombardia, is The world day without tobacco that is remembered tomorrow.

According to research 38% of interviewees declare themselves smoker (against 41% of last year)an identical percentage claims to not be, 24% said goodbye to tobacco. Among the tobagists, those who use only or predominantly devices for « vapare » are in increaseO: The share rose from 16 to 24% over 12 months. If the classic cigarettes remain in the first place by diffusion, on the second there is heated tobacco, to the third the rolled cigarettes. Immediately afterwards, the « vapus » with and without nicotine, prefer them from the « digital smokers ». Their identikit? They are above all young people. 54% of the 18-24 year olds who smoke use the new devices. About half tried at least once to abandon the vice.

And the portrait of the « traditional » smoker? Definitely older – Over 65 -, more women than menwith a greater awareness of the fact that the « blondes » should be abandoned. 78% made at least one attempt.
Taking into account all types of tobagists, just over a quarter claims to have never tried to give up smoking and not wanting to do it. After all, « smoking is a pleasure », « it is no longer harmful than other things », « something you have to die of something », « I know that I can’t do it » (but 15% succeeded thanks to the doctor).

A slice of the 9% is convinced of stars using devices « that hurt ». Yet those electronic are not sure, quite the contrary. « Thanks to some studies of the National Cancer Institute, we have shown that heated tobacco is also harmful – says Roberto Boffi, head of pneumology at the INT and president of the Italian Society of Tabaccology -. And in the liquids of electronic cigarettes there may be heavy and formaldehyde metals ». Not to mention the environmental impact of the disposable e-cig, in which the battery is also thrown away. «For these reasons they should be united to normal cigarettes regarding taxation and prohibitions». Opinion also widespread among the interviewees: 42% consider « ineffective » the stop to outdoor smoke taken in Milan in January, 52% ask to widen the restriction on electronics.

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