In Milan, a ban on smoking in open and public places came into effect on January 1, 2025. About this informs Euronews.
This is the strictest smoking ban in the history of the Italian fashion capital. Violation of the new rules is punishable by fines ranging from 40 to 240 euros. The ban covers all public places, including streets, but provides exceptions for isolated areas. In such places, smokers must maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from other people.
The local authorities explain that this measure is part of a wider initiative launched in 2021, which aims to improve air quality and protect citizens from passive smoking. Special attention is paid to the protection of children who are often in public places. The restrictions, however, do not apply to vapes and electronic cigarettes.
In 2020, the city council of Milan passed a resolution on the gradual restriction of smoking, and the first restrictions came into effect already in 2021. Then the ban covered playgrounds, parks, bus stops and sports fields.
The new initiative was introduced ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games to be held in Milan. Its purpose is to significantly improve the state of the air, because the city is currently on the list of the most polluted in Europe. Milan, located in the industrial Po Valley, also faces the problem of high levels of car emissions due to excessive traffic.
