ROME, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Italy's antitrust regulator

said on Wednesday it had opened an investigation into Philip

Morris Italia for alleged unfair commercial practices.

The tobacco giant allegedly promoted its so-called

'smoke-free' products in an incorrect way, using expressions

like 'smoke-free', and slogans such as 'a future without smoke',

the authority said in a statement.

"These expressions may be unclear and misleading for

consumers, as they refer to products that, despite the absence

of combustion, are not free from potential harmful health

effects, nor are they less harmful than others, and may cause

addiction," the watchdog said.