About 5 percent of Italian smokers have kicked the habit since tough new laws banning smoking in restaurants, bars and offices were brought in almost a year ago.

The reduction, which represents some 750,000 people, is the biggest annual drop ever recorded in Italy, said Francesco Schittulli, head of LILT, the Italian biggest campaign for action against cancer, on Wednesday.

Figures show that most of the people who gave up in 2005 were adult males who tended to smoke about 10 cigarettes a day, often as a social habit and perhaps after meals.

Few women have stopped smoking and, of the between 14 and 15 million Italian smokers left, they now appear to be the most reluctant to change their habits.

The situation has also changed little among teenagers, Schittulli admitted, calling for more action by authorities on this category.

Italy's new anti-smoking legislation came into effect on January 10, when it became illegal to light up in offices and other work places open to the public, including restaurants and bars.

Previous laws already forbade smoking in public places such as cinemas, schools, libraries, hospitals and underground trains.

According to tobacconists, cigarette sales will end 2005 down by about 7 percent as a result of the new law.

Source: Xinhua