0
0
Milan has introduced one of Italy’s toughest anti-smoking measures, with a ban on smoking in all public outdoor spaces. As of January 1, 2025, smokers in Milan risk facing fines ranging from 40 to 240 euros ($41 to $249) for lighting up in city streets or crowded public areas. This latest move is part of a broader strategy to combat air pollution in Italy’s financial and fashion capital, which is grappling with some of Europe’s worst air quality.
The new law extends the ban to all public spaces, including streets, except for isolated areas where individuals can maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from others. The city’s government says the measure aims to reduce airborne particulates, protect citizens’ health, and reduce passive smoking exposure, particularly in spaces frequented by children.
While some residents are supportive, others find the ban excessive. “I think this measure is excessive. If we are talking about an indoor place, I agree, but in an open area, I don’t see why one should be restricted,” said Myrian Illiano, a 21-year-old sales clerk. In contrast, Chiara Ciuffini, a 39-year-old content creator, supports the ban, emphasizing the importance of cleaner air for non-smokers.
The smoking restriction builds upon a 2020 ordinance passed by the Milan City Council, which progressively expanded smoking bans in public spaces. Starting in 2021, smoking was prohibited in parks, playgrounds, bus stops, and sports facilities. The new regulation is seen as part of an ongoing effort to address Milan’s air pollution, largely caused by road traffic in the industrial Po Valley.
Emanuele Marinoni, vice president of the Italian Tobacconists Federation, predicts a significant impact on tobacco sales, estimating a 20-30 percent drop in business. “When a person is in the office, they usually move to the balcony or the street to smoke. It’s obvious that there will be a decrease in cigarette consumption,” he said.
However, e-cigarettes are exempt from the new ban. Local authorities argue that the move aligns with Milan’s broader environmental goals, aiming to curb the city’s dangerous levels of particulate matter in the air.
Milan’s strict smoking policy comes ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in nearby Cortina, signaling a shift toward more health-conscious public policies as the city prepares to welcome the world.
Italy has long been a leader in smoking regulation, with its first national smoking ban introduced in 1975. Cigarette consumption in Italy is below the EU average, with around 19 percent of Italians reported as smokers, according to 2023 data from ISTAT. Cigarettes in Italy are among the cheapest in Europe, averaging six euros per pack.
Despite these efforts, smoking remains a leading cause of death in Italy, with 93,000 deaths annually attributed to tobacco use. Lung cancer, the deadliest form of cancer, is responsible for approximately 85 percent of all cases, and smoking contributes significantly to the creation of fine particulate matter in the air, exacerbating Milan’s pollution problems.
As other European countries take similar steps, such as a proposed smoking ban in the UK targeting a “smoke-free generation,” Milan’s bold new policy could serve as a model for other cities striving to balance public health with individual freedoms.
