Choked-Up Milan Takes Smoking Ban Outside

“It’s about time they passed this law. We’re fed up with this smoke!” declared Massimo Gabbiadini, a shopkeeper in Piazza del Duomo, after Milan banned smoking in many outdoor places.

“But I will wait and see if the rules are enforced. In the north of Europe people respect the law, but in Italy?” the 54-year-old told AFP.

On Tuesday, Italy's financial and fashion capital became the country's first city to prohibit smoking in many public open-air areas, such as parks, stadiums, bus stops and even cemeteries.

There are exceptions for lighting, as well as for electronic cigarettes, in remote spots at a distance of 10 meters (30 feet) or more from other smokers.

The usual throngs of tourists outside Milan’s cathedral were absent on Tuesday because of coronavirus restrictions, which saw the city placed back in partial lockdown at the weekend.

Among those walking past the police officers standing guard, many with cigarettes between their lips seemed unaware of the change in the law.

“There’s no sign saying you can’t smoke in certain places,” complained Floris Dethmers, an 18-year-old model in Milan for the men’s fashion week shows.

“I understand that it’s banned inside. But outside, I want the freedom to smoke.”

– Harmful to lungs –

But the measure has been largely welcomed in Milan, including by smokers such as Maria Luigia di Toma, an unemployed receptionist.

“I think it’s fair, because smoking is really annoying for people around you,” the 63-year-old said.

Italy was a pioneer in Europe in banning smoking in closed public spaces, notably bars and restaurants, in 2005 — and such prohibitions are now widespread.

But Milan has taken it one step further as part of a wider battle against pollution.

The new ban aims to “reduce PM10 fine particles, which are harmful to the lungs, and protect the health of citizens against active and passive smoking in public places,” according to the local council.

Milan routinely breaks air quality records in the center of the industrial Po Valley and is choked with road traffic, and eight percent of the PM10 particles in the region are attributed to smoking.

Fines range from 40 to 240 euros ($48 to $290) for violating the new legislation, but they will only be enforced progressively.

By January 1, 2025, however, Milan will have a total ban on smoking in the open air.

Authorities here are heartened by the relative ease with which the national ban on indoor smoking was imposed — and its impact.

Since 2005, the number of smokers aged 15 and over in Italy has fallen by one million to 11.6 million, according to a study by the ISS health agency.

Leaning against a statue in Piazza del Duomo, Laura Beraldo says she is not ready to give up her 20-a-day habit.

“I don’t blame cigarettes for the smog, but the traffic and global warming,” said the 21-year-old, who works for an NGO.

And for now, “there are no restrictions on the freedom to smoke, as long as I respect the 10-metre rule” she said, smiling.