Become effective the grip on smoking in Milan. Since Tuesday 19 January, smoking has been banned in many outdoor places in the city including public parks, bus stops and so on.
The news is contained in the Air quality regulation approved by the Milan City Council last November 19 and aim to protect the health of citizens but also to reduce PM10, or the particulate formed by particles with a diameter of less than one hundredth of a millimeter (10 micrometres) which can also settle in the bronchi. Indeed, the Arpa Lombardia tables show that 7 per cent of PM10 in Milan is caused by smoking. A much lower percentage than transport (45%) and non-industrial combustion (19%), but still high.
MILAN: ALL THE BAN ON SMOKING
Starting January 19, smoking will be prohibited in the following outdoor locations:
- in public parks,
- at public transport stops,
- in children's play areas,
- in dog areas,
- in cemeteries,
- in sports facilities, including stadiums (and therefore San Siro).
Information signs will be placed in the areas affected by the bans.
THE DEROGATIONS
The prohibition does not apply if those who smoke outdoors are at least ten meters away from other people.
THE FINES
Violators of the rules can face hefty fines. In fact, the Regulation provides for penalties of between 40 and 240 euros.
STOP SMOKING FROM 2025
The rules in force since January 19 represent only a transition phase in the plan set by the Municipality to improve air quality in the city. Starting from 2025, in fact, the smoking ban will be extended to all public outdoor areas.
OTHER PROHIBITIONS
In addition to the smoking ban, the Air Quality Regulation also provides for a ban on installing new diesel and biomass systems for heating buildings. From 1 October 2022 it will also be forbidden to use diesel even in existing heating systems.
