PhD defence Irene Possenti

Keywords: Cigarette smoking, Cancer, Secondhand smoke exposure

"Cancer Incidence and Mortality Attributable to Cigarette Smoking and Secondhand Smoke  Exposure in Italy: Risk and Impact of Tobacco Control Strategies"

This thesis examined how cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke affect cancer risk and the health burden in Italy. Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death worldwide, yet many questions remain about the impact of smoking on specific cancers and about the consequences of secondhand smoke exposure.

To address these issues, the thesis combined evidence from large reviews of scientific studies with analyses of recent Italian data on smoking habits, secondhand smoke exposure, public attitudes towards tobacco control, and healthcare costs. The results confirmed that smoking substantially increases the risk of several cancers and showed that secondhand smoke is also linked to an increased risk of disease among non-smokers. The research further demonstrated that tobacco use continues to place a considerable burden on the Italian population and healthcare system.

Overall, the findings provide new evidence to support cancer prevention, improve public awareness, and inform future tobacco control policies aimed at reducing the health and societal impact of smoking.

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