COP11 on tobacco: what will Italy say? We have written to Minister Schillaci

At the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) in Geneva, taking place from 17 to 22 November, several crucial topics will be discussed in relation to the fight against tobacco and its harmful consequences for both health and the environment.

The focus will be on the responsibility of the tobacco industry for the millions of deaths each year attributable to the use of its products, as well as for the environmental damage associated with the entire production cycle, from cultivation to waste disposal.

New rules will also need to be defined to ensure transparency regarding the composition of tobacco products and to prevent interference by the tobacco industry in government public policies.

Finally, the role of new tobacco products — such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches — will be addressed. These tools, often presented as instruments for “harm reduction”, are widely considered to have disadvantages that far outweigh their purported benefits.

In coordination with the Alliance for a Tobacco-Free Italy, an association in which Zadig is represented by Eva Benelli, we sent a letter to the Minister of Health, Oscar Schillaci. In it, we recalled the Ministry’s long-standing commitment to a clear and consistent public health stance against the spread of tobacco products and asked for clarification on the position that the Italian Government delegation will take at COP11.

Below is the full text of the letter.

Letter to the Minister of Health

Dear Minister,

The upcoming COP11 in Geneva will address and adopt decisions on matters of crucial importance for global tobacco control, in particular:

• the accountability of the tobacco industry for the millions of deaths each year attributable to the consumption of its products and for the environmental damage linked to the entire production cycle, from cultivation to waste disposal;
• transparency regarding the composition of tobacco products;
• the prevention of interference by the tobacco industry in government public policies;
• the definition of the role of new tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches.

On behalf of Zadig Società Benefit, which is actively engaged in the promotion of public health, we kindly ask to be informed of the position that Italy intends to take on these issues.

Traditionally, the Ministry of Health has maintained a clear and consistent approach in favour of protecting public health and countering the spread of tobacco products. In particular, the Ministry has repeatedly stated that, in the case of tobacco, so-called “harm reduction” cannot be considered a genuine public health policy. At population level, the harm caused by the use of new tobacco products — including the initiation of young people into nicotine addiction, the increase in dual use and relapse among former smokers — far outweighs the alleged benefits that a limited number of smokers might obtain by replacing traditional smoking with vaping.

The Ministry has also consistently supported the most advanced positions of the World Health Organization and the European Union on tobacco control.

It is nonetheless well known that, at this stage, certain economic ministries tend to treat the tobacco industry as an ordinary productive sector, emphasising its investments and its contribution in terms of employment and tax revenues.

The Ministry of Economy has already expressed reservations concerning the proposals of the European Commission regarding the new Tobacco Taxation Directive, which would entail significant increases in excise duties and fiscal revenues.

Possible negative effects of such measures are often cited, in particular an increase in illicit trade, despite scientific evidence showing the opposite and the fact that, thanks to the efforts of the Customs and Monopolies Agency, Italy now has extremely advanced traceability systems, down to the level of individual packets.

In light of the above, Zadig Società Benefit kindly asks you to clarify the position that Italy intends to support at European level in view of COP11, and the approach being taken by the Ministry of Health, also in relation to the positions expressed by other government departments.

We would also appreciate receiving information on the composition of the Italian delegation that will take part in the Conference proceedings.

Reaffirming our full availability for any further discussion, we thank you in advance for your attention and for the information you will be so kind as to provide.

Yours sincerely,

Rome, 11 November 2025