Changes in the use of nicotine-containing products during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in a representative sample of the Italian adult population.

Introduction: To assess nicotine-containing products (NCPs; heated tobacco products and/or electronic cigarettes) use in relation to conventional smoking.

Methods: "LOST IN ITALY" ("LOckdown and Lifestyles IN ITALY") and "LOST IN TOSCANA" cross-sectional surveys estimated lifestyles changes before, during, and after the lockdown in a representative sample of the Italian population. A Poisson regression model was used to estimate prevalence ratios of NCP use according to socio-demographic, mental distress, and smoking variables.

Results: The prevalence of conventional cigarette smokers did not decrease, remaining stable at 23%. Exclusive conventional cigarette smokers decreased from 21% before the lockdown in 2020 to 15% in 2023 but dual users, representing the large majority of NCP users, increased by 4 times, and exclusive NCP users decreased from 7% in 2020 to 5% in 2023.

Conclusions: NCPs are mostly accompanying instead of replacing conventional cigarettes. A targeted campaign should be developed in Italy to raise awareness on that.