Milano introduces strict smoke bans in Italy

Milano introduces strict smoke bans in Italy

cigarettes have always been connected to fashion, so that sometimes they can even be seen on catwalks. smoke , similar to color, never seems to come out of fashion in the fashion world. But from January 1, 2025, smoking in public spaces, including streets, in Miland , Italy's finance and fashion capital forbidden. If you then light a cigarette outside, you have to expect fines between $ 41 and $ 249 (40-240 euros).

strictest smoking bans in Italy

This ban represents the strictest anti-smoking in Italy, where, according to the Ministry of Health, almost a quarter of the population smokes. The only exception is when there are people in isolated areas that are at least ten meters from others.

focus on air quality instead of health

The ban that does not include e-cigarettes and vapes is part of a series of measures that, according to the city council, focus more on combating pollution than on health aspects. In 2020, a law to improve air quality was adopted, which contains strict smoking bans - smoking is 7 % of all emissions in Milan and its suburbs.

gradual introduction of the smoking ban

The complete ban on smoking outdoors is the second step of the air pollution strategy, which began in 2021 with the ban to smoke in playgrounds, at bus stops and in leisure facilities.

goals of the law

The law is intended to improve the air quality in the city and protect the health of citizens, including protection against passive smoking in public spaces. Although the ban came into force at midnight on January 1, 2025, the Milan police reported that no celebrants were arrested.

reactions to the ban

Lino Stoppani, President of the public entrepreneurial Association Fipe Confcommercio, described the ban as "symbolic" and difficult to enforce, since the business owners are not obliged to implement this. "Without adequate controls, the regulations to be measures that serve more sensitization are risked as real solutions. It is positive that public companies do not have to take on the role of 'carabinieri', which puts control into the hands of the relevant Beh Authorities," said Stoppani in a statement.

effects on the 2026

The ban will also affect the participants of the Olympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina 2026. In Italy, smoking has been banned in all public interiors since 2005, and several cities have issued further regulations, but the implementation of which is rare.

regional differences in the regulations

in Turin is forbidden to smoke outdoors in front of children or pregnant women. In Rome, many restaurants allow smoking at external tables, and all large Italian airports have smoking rooms within the terminals.