As of January 1, 2025, smoking has been banned in all public spaces, including streets, in Milan, Italy. Violators face fines ranging from $41 to $249 (€40 - €240). This move represents the strictest smoking ban in Italy, a country where nearly a quarter of the population smokes, according to the health ministry.
The ban does not apply to vapes or electronic cigarettes and includes an exception for isolated places at least 10 meters away from others. The city council passed a clean air bill in 2020, focusing on reducing pollution, with smoking accounting for 7% of all emissions in Milan and its suburbs.
This outdoor smoking ban is the second phase of the clean air strategy, following previous bans in playgrounds, bus stops, and outdoor sports facilities in 2021. The goal is to improve air quality, protect citizens' health, and prevent passive smoking in public areas.
While the ban officially began on January 1, no immediate arrests were made by Milan police. Business owners are not required to enforce the ban, leading to concerns about its effectiveness. Lino Stoppani, president of a public business federation, described the ban as symbolic and challenging to implement without proper controls.
The ban will impact attendees of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026. Italy has prohibited smoking in all public indoor spaces since 2005, with various cities introducing additional regulations, although enforcement is often lacking.
In Turin, smoking in front of children or pregnant women outdoors is forbidden, while Rome allows smoking at outdoor restaurant tables. Major Italian airports provide smoking rooms within their terminals.
