No smoking within 10 meters of people outdoors in public places: Milan continues its battle that began in 2021
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From 1 January 2025, Milan will introduce a complete ban on smoking outdoors in public places, allowing you to light a cigarette only at a minimum distance of 10 meters from other people. The measure, which is part of the Municipality’s Air-Climate Plan, represents the second step of a journey that began in 2021 and aims to improve air quality and protect public health.
This ban will extend to streets, squares and other public areas, helping to transform the Lombardy capital in a “smoke-free” citythe first in Italy to have such strict rules. The new regulation provides sanctions for violators who they range from 40 to 240 euroswithout the need for further administrative resolutions, given that the ban is already included in the Air Quality Regulation. The law aims not only to reduce air pollution, but also to protect citizens from exposure to passive smoking, with particular attention to minors.
As mentioned, since 2021 Milan has already limited smoking in several sensitive areas, such as public transport stops, parks, children’s play areas, sports facilities, cemeteries and dog parks. With this new phase, the ban it becomes much more stringentaffecting the entire city and making exceptions possible only in isolated places where the minimum safety distance can be respected.
E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are not included
Another crucial objective is the fight against air pollution. In addition to reducing emissions of polluting particles, such as PM10, the Municipality hopes to raise awareness among the population of the importance of adopting more sustainable behaviors.
Recent studies have in fact shown that smoking outdoors contributes significantly toincrease in pollutants in the airwith levels of fine particulate matter in pedestrian areas comparable to those on busy streets.
Despite the legislation, it is likely that further measures will be adopted in the future to regulate these devices as well. There also remain doubts about the application of the ban in the outdoor areas of bars and restaurants, which could be excluded if considered private spaces.
This decision reflects Milan’s commitment to becoming a healthier and more sustainable city, a model used by other Italian metropolises they should follow. The initiative demonstrates how the protection of public health and the environment can go hand in hand, offering citizens a better quality of life.
