Starting this Wednesday, January 1, Milan is implementing a smoking ban in many public spaces, including parks, streets, sidewalks and terraces.
Fines ranging from 40 to 240 euros
The city of Milan strengthens its restrictions: from January 1, smoking will be prohibited in almost all public spaces, including parks, sidewalks, roads and restaurant terraces. The only authorized places will be isolated areas located at least ten meters from passers-by. Violators risk fines ranging from 40 to 240 euros, French media report as BFMTV. This prohibition does not apply to cigarettes electronic.
Adopted in 2020, this measure is part of a policy aimed at reducing passive smoking and improving air quality, Milan being the most polluted city in Italy. Similar restrictions had already been put in place in 2021.
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A measure that is not unanimous
The new anti-smoking measure Milan attracts criticism, with some judging it “excessive”. Morgan Ishak, a resident, believes that banning smoking outdoors restricts individual freedom, although he approves of banning it near children or the elderly. Shuli Hu, owner of a tobacco bar, considers this rule ineffective, saying that smokers' habits will not change, regardless of the distance imposed.
According to the regional environment agency of Lombardy, tobacco contributes 7% of fine particles in the air to Milanreinforcing the urgency to act on air pollution in this already heavily impacted city.
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