Outdoor Smoking Ban to Reduce Fine Dust
Fines for Outdoor Smoking Range from 60,000 to 370,000 KRW
Milan, the financial and fashion hub of northern Italy, has decided to implement stricter anti-smoking policies starting this year, including a ban on outdoor smoking.
According to major foreign media on the 1st (local time), from this day forward, smoking is prohibited in all outdoor areas in Milan except for isolated spaces where a minimum distance of 10 meters from others can be maintained. Violators will face fines ranging from at least 40 euros (about 60,000 KRW) to a maximum of 240 euros (about 370,000 KRW). However, this regulation does not apply to electronic cigarettes.
This measure follows the "Air Quality Law" enacted by the Milan City Council in November 2020 to reduce fine dust and respond to climate change. Since 2021, smoking has been banned in public places such as bus stops, parks, sports facilities, stadiums, cemeteries, and children's playgrounds. Furthermore, this year, the anti-smoking policy has been expanded to all outdoor areas where the 10-meter distance rule cannot be maintained. Milan is the first city in Italy to impose such a widespread restriction on outdoor smoking.
This strong anti-smoking policy appears to be related to air pollution. Milan is considered one of the cities with the most severe air pollution in Europe. The average concentration of fine dust (PM10) is relatively high, and city authorities have identified that cigarette smoke accounts for 8% of all fine dust-causing substances. Milan authorities expect this measure to significantly improve air quality ahead of the Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics in 2026.
Previously, indoor smoking has been banned by law in Italy since 2003. According to the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), the smoking rate among Italians was about 18% last year, which is lower than the European Union (EU) average of 24%.
Meanwhile, other countries are also introducing stringent anti-smoking policies. The United Kingdom proposed a "smoking ban law" that prohibits the purchase of cigarettes by those born in 2009 or later. In November last year, the UK House of Commons passed the "Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes Bill" with 415 votes in favor and 47 against. The bill prohibits people aged 15 or younger (born in 2009 or later) from buying cigarettes. In addition, the bill includes bans on ▲advertising electronic cigarettes ▲selling electronic cigarettes through vending machines ▲packaging that might attract children and adolescents ▲flavors such as gum or candy.
Portugal announced a bill in 2023 aiming to create a "smoke-free generation" by 2040, regulating cigarette sales and smoking in public places. The Canadian government is also pursuing anti-smoking policies targeting a smoking rate below 5% by 2035, including mandatory health risk warnings on cigarette packaging and on each cigarette stick.
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