This is one of the country's strictest smoking restrictions, aimed at improving air quality and protecting public health.
Under the new rules, smoking will only be allowed in unoccupied areas, at least 10 metres away from other people. Violators will face fines ranging from 40 to 240 euros. The rule is part of a strategy to reduce air pollution in Milan, one of the most polluted cities in Europe due to its location in the Po Valley industrial region and heavy traffic.
The outdoor smoking ban expands on a previous ban that banned smoking in parks, playgrounds, bus stops and sports facilities from 2021. Local authorities said the goal of the regulation is to reduce fine dust particles in the air and protect citizens' health, especially children and non-smokers, from secondhand smoke.
Stellina Lombardo, 56, a non-smoker, supported the ban: “I completely agree because smoking is not only harmful to health but also contributes to pollution, especially in the context of climate change. This is a positive step to reduce the negative impact of pollution on our planet."
However, not everyone agrees. Local resident Morgan Ishak said: “I think this law is a bit too much. I agree with not smoking indoors or near children, but banning smoking outdoors is a bit restrictive on personal freedom.”
Notably, this ban does not apply to e-cigarettes. Milan authorities hope that this measure will help improve the city's image ahead of hosting the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Italy has a long history of tobacco control. The first smoking ban was introduced in 1975, on public transport and in classrooms. It was then extended to all enclosed public spaces in 2005, making Italy one of the pioneers of anti-smoking legislation in Europe.
However, with the average price of a pack of cigarettes at around €6, compared to the €10 that is common in other European countries, smoking remains widespread in Italy. According to 2023 figures from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), around 19% of the population smokes, below the European Union average of 24%.
