It honestly doesn't seem to me that consumption in Italy is that different from other western countries (it is lower than neighboring Austria or Switzerland, fo

It honestly doesn't seem to me that consumption in Italy is that different from other western countries (it is lower than neighboring Austria or Switzerland, for instance) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_cigarette_consumption_per_capita https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_cigarette... In addition is forbidden to smoke in public enclosed spaces (which is not a given in many countries), and it is forbidden to advertise cigarettes and tobacco. There is in general less stigma associated to smoking than in the US, for this reason people might feel more "free" to openly smoke in places where it is not forbidden.