As per the latest development, Milan, Italy, the famous centre of fashion and finance, has imposed a comprehensive smoking ban that forbids lighting up in any public area, including the streets, as of January 1, 2025. With almost 25% of the population smoking, this is the strictest smoking ban in the nation. In line with Milan's long-term goal of a healthy urban living, the ban also attempts to protect residents from passive smoking and enhance the city's air quality.
If reports are to go by, the said law is in line with the clean air bill from 2020 and expands on previous pollution-targeting efforts. Since smoking is responsible for 7% of all emissions in Milan and the surrounding areas, reducing air pollution is the need of the time to avoid health concerns. This ban on smoking outside is the second phase of a broader clean air effort that began in 2021 with a ban on smoking in playgrounds, bus stops, and outdoor sports facilities.
Those seen smoking in public places would face fines of $41 to $249 (€40 to €240) under the new regulation. There are certain exceptions, though, and smokers are still permitted to light up in remote locations as long as they are at least 10 m away from other people. Crucially, vapes and electronic devices are exempt from the regulation.
The prohibition comes at a time when smoking has become deeply embedded in Milanese fashion culture, frequently showing up on catwalks and in street fashion as a sign of style and rebellion. For years, cigaret.
