There is no statutory monopoly for distribution services, but the distribution of items for which there is production or import monopoly is tightly regulated. In the case of retail distribution of tobacco products, competitions is limited by creating a “state-protected multitude of small-scale monopolists” through geographical zoning and productivity conditions (https://www.adm.gov.it/portale/monopoli/tabacchi/distribuzione_vendita/rivendite_ordinarie)