Faculty perspectives on tobacco use and nicotine addiction across eight Italian dental schools

Aim Dental faculty members serve as both clinicians and educators, positioning them as key influencers in tobacco and nicotine use prevention and cessation efforts. This multi-institutional study conducted in Italy assessed the prevalence of tobacco and nicotine use and explored faculty members’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding tobacco and nicotine prevention and cessation. Subject and methods A cross-sectional online survey was administered among faculty members at eight Italian dental schools. The questionnaire included items on demographics, tobacco use behaviors, knowledge, attitudes toward tobacco, institutional policies, curricular integration, and 38 tobacco use prevention and cessation (TUPAC) competencies aligned with the 5A’s model. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable regression analyses were conducted. Results The prevalence of current cigarette smoking, electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use, and other tobacco product use was 13.7%, 9.1%, and 3.7%, respectively, with significantly higher rates observed in Southern versus Northern Italy. Over half of the faculty endorsed the need for training to effectively teach students about tobacco prevention and cessation; however, current smokers were less likely to do so (aOR 0.33, p < 0.01). Awareness of institutional tobacco policies was limited, and the intergration of cessation-realted content into curricula was low, particularly regarding ENDS and other tobacco products. While faculty rated TUPAC competencies as important, they identified lack of resources, insufficient time, and limited skills as key barriers to implementation. Conclusions Tobacco use among dental faculty may undermine their role as health promoters. Strengthening faculty competencies, enforcing institutional tobacco policies, and integrating structured cessation training into dental curricula are critical steps for advancing tobacco control in Italy.