Strict smoking ban in Milan, Italy, with fines
A strict ban on smoking has been imposed in the European country of Italy. This ban has been imposed since Wednesday (January 1). From now on, smoking on the streets or in crowded places in the country’s financial and fashion capital, Milan, will have to pay a fine. However, many in the city have not taken such strict provisions well.
In a report on Wednesday, the French news agency AFP reported that those who violate this ban in Milan could be fined from 40 to 240 euros. In Bangladeshi currency, which is about 5 thousand to 30 thousand taka.
Earlier in 2020, the city council passed an air quality ordinance in Milan, which recommended imposing strict restrictions on smoking. Later, smoking was banned in public in parks, playgrounds, as well as bus stops and sports facilities from 2021.
According to the new provisions, the strict law came into effect on January 1, 2025. Strict smoking ban in Milan, Italy, with fines The law will apply to all public spaces, including streets, but smoking will be allowed in “separated” areas, meaning places where other people can maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from smokers.
Local officials said in a statement that one of the aims of the measure is to improve the city’s air quality, protect the health of citizens, keep them away from second-hand smoke in public spaces, and protect children from respiratory problems.
Meanwhile, criticizing the law, Morgan Ishaq (46), a local resident, told AFP, “In my opinion, the new law has gone too far. I agree with not smoking indoors, in front of the elderly or children, but for me, banning smoking outdoors means limiting a person’s freedom.”
Of course, non-smokers are in favor of the law. A person named Stella Lombardo (56) said she supports a strict ban on smoking. The law is also good for the environment, including the protection of children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
A recent study by the UK’s University College London (UCL) educational and research institution found that a cigarette takes 17 minutes from the life of a male smoker and 22 minutes from the life of a female smoker. That is, each cigarette takes 20 minutes from the life of a smoker on average.
Local officials said in a statement that one of the goals of the measure is to improve the city’s air quality, protect the health of citizens, keep them away from secondhand smoke in public spaces, and protect children from respiratory problems.
Meanwhile, criticizing the law, Morgan Ishaq (46), a local resident, said, “In my opinion, the new law has gone too far. I agree with not smoking indoors, in front of the elderly or children, but for me, banning smoking outdoors means limiting a person’s freedom.”
Of course, non-smokers are in favor of the law. A person named Stella Lombardo (56) said that she supports a strict ban on smoking. The law is also good for the environment, including the protection of children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared smoking the biggest threat to public health in the history of human civilization. According to WHO data, 9.3 million people die in the world every year due to smoking and various physical complications related to it. At least 8 million of them are direct smokers. The remaining 1.3 million do not smoke directly but are affected by being around smokers.
The death rate due to secondhand smoke is increasing compared to the past. In addition, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are most at risk from secondhand smoke.
