Objective: The primary purpose of this study is to explore primary care physicians' (PCPs') knowledge, attitudes and self-reported activities provided to patients for smoking cessation. The secondary purpose is to identify the relationships between physician-related characteristics and knowledge, attitudes and self-reported activities for smoking cessation.

Method: A national cross-sectional web survey was conducted in Italy from April through September 2012.

Results: 722 PCPs completed the questionnaire. The great majority indicated the correct proportion of smokers among patients with lung cancer, the smoking abstention required for risk reduction after smoking cessation, and tobacco as a known major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whereas 28.7% knew the Fagerstrom test for the assessment of nicotine dependence. Almost all PCPs reported that they ask all patients if they smoke, inform about the dangers of smoking and recommend to quit smoking, whereas prescription of recommended drugs for smoking cessation varied from 37.7% for nicotine replacement therapy to 4.9% for varenicline.

Conclusion: Despite a positive attitude, Italian PCPs are not prepared to deliver effective interventions for smoking cessation in their patients.

Abbreviations: CIs, confidence intervals; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; LHUs, local health units; NHS, National Health Service; ORs, odds ratio; PCP, primary care physicians; SD, standard deviation; WHO, World Health Organization