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Italy bans smoking in public places


An official ban on smoking in all enclosed public places has come into force in Italy on 10 January 2005. It aims to protect against passive smoking and deter those who pursue a habit that is calculated to kill 90,000 Italians a year.

The new law obliges restaurants, bars, offices and factories to prohibit tobacco use on their premises unless they are able to provide special sealed off rooms with smoke extractors. In reality, not many retailers will be able to fulfill this condition, making it practically impossible to smoke in any public places.

A fine of up to 2,000 euros may be levied on businesses which fail to comply with this law. Smokers themselves may be fined up to 275 euros. The fine can double if a smoker lights up in front of children or pregnant women.

Italy is the third European country, after Ireland and Norway, to bring in a smoking ban. The British government has revealed plans to follow suit. A recent White Paper on public health calls for a smoke-free environment in workplaces and establishments that serve food by 2009 across England.

Markos Kyprianou, EU’s new Public Health Commissioner, called for an EU-wide ban on smoking during his hearing in the European Parliament on 8 October 2004.

Last modified on April 25 2007.

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30 January 2005 12:46

> Italy bans smoking in public places

I traveled to Italy in 2000 and I was constantly sick due to the second hand smoke. I had wanted to go back, but because of the constant presence of smoke it made a trip undesirale due to health issues. I now plan to travel again to Italy wihtout having to fear for the health of my lungs.

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16 April 2005 14:22
> Italy bans smoking in public places

My wife and I are currently planning to move to Italy - I’m VERY HAPPY to know that we can visit bars and restaurants without breathing someone else’s second-hand smoke!

I’m also happy for the positive effects on Italian health and longevity! When will the U.S. follow?

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5 November 2006 23:26, by angelique
> Italy bans smoking in public places
I were in Italy now for a month, and I don’t know if the laws has change. Because while I were there lots of people smoke every where. I were so sick of it. A lot of teenagers smoke and I think it is very unhealthy. I went to school for about 2 weeks there and they are aloud to smoke in their brakes. Wel I don’t think they law is helping a lot. Happy to be back in Australia fresh air. But I had good experians in Italy exept for the smoke.

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19 August 2005 09:31

> Italy bans smoking in public places

Are Hotels and Inns smoke free? Is there a choice of smoking or non-smoking rooms? Several of my friends, who will be part of our trip, smoke. I just want to warn them. Thanks!

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24 March 2006 06:00, by Pnatalone

Italy bans smoking in public places

I lived in Italy from 2004 to 2006. I was incredibly HAPPY! about the ban of smoking in public places. Finally I could enjoy a good meal or even a drink in a bar without having to cough afterwards. Being back in Hong Kong where things are still unchanged, I feel a big cut in my quality of life.

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15 November 2006 15:37, by Stephen

Italy bans smoking in public places

We visited Ireland last year, and Italy twice this year as a result of their smoking ban. It was a joy to sit in a restaurnt and not have to worry about breathing in second hand smoke. Apart from it being unpleasant, especially when you are eating, I am also asthmatic so it can make me ill in the short term, as well as the long term possibility of lung cancer. We look forward to seeing what the situation is in The Canaries in March. There are certain countries like France and Germany that I will not visit now until they bring a smoking ban in public places into law.

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6 February 18:07, by MARLBORO MAN
reply to Stephen
So just how many of these non smokers have cars spewing out much more pollution in a day than a smoker does in a lifetime,that is the cause of your asthma don’t blame smokers for that,just look at the amount of children who suffer from asthma are you trying to tell me they are all smokers?you must have a very short list of places visited if smokers put you off,like Frank before me you stay inside restaurants and leave the outside to us smelly asthma causing smokers PLEASE.

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6 June 2007 17:19, by sirwynnofskem

Italy bans smoking in public places

You will still have to breath in every motorists second hand exhaust fumes though - take a look at the Colosseum in Rome to see the kind of damage it causes. Why should I have to breath in all these fumes when I am walking around - they should be banned.

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6 February 16:38, by Frank

Italy bans smoking in public places

It never fails to astound me with these anti-smoking people,if you hate smokers so much WHY do you insist in sitting outside in the allocated smoking areas if it bothers you so much sit indoors,I have never seen a full restaurant since any ban came into force in any country,but you still get the self righteous preachers complaining. Why is it that one or two airlines are thinking about letting people smoke on planes,so that they will have to push fresh air into the cabin to stop DVT and other ailments caused by the recycled air,look at the figures and see how high illness has risen since smoking was banned on planes.In short STAY OUT of my smoking place and I will gladly stay out of yours.....

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16 February 02:36, by Jochen Stacker

Italy bans smoking in public places

90000 people a year died of smoking. That means the rest died of frsh air. We must ban fresh air! Or another terrifying aspect: If no one smokes, no one will ever die again, ever! This is horrible, people living for the rest of eternity? I need a cigarette just to calm down now. Sure the smoking ban works for restaurants and creches, but as a smoker I feel increasingly like a leper and constantly badgered and pressured into quitting. My course of action is always determined by what people want. If I’m forced to do something, I won’t and if I’m told I can’t, I will. I will make up my own mind, thank you very much.

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5 April 17:51
Italy bans smoking in public places
I agree with youl Go smoke your cigarette. Just son’t infringe on me breathing fresh air. I won’t impinge on your breathing tobacco smoke if you don’t impinge on my breathing fresh air. The only difference is my fresh air isn’t going to harm you while your smoke is killing us.

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17 February 15:27, by .karen

Italy bans smoking in public places

What next? Are you going to ban buggy’s and strollers? These are far more harmful to young children. They are in direct contact with exhaust emissions - far more dangerous than smoking in public places...smokers are an easy target as always. Do MP’s and wealthy gentlemen, who frequent private drinking clubs still smoke inside. Honest answers would be good

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