An official ban on smoking in all enclosed public places has come into force in Italy on 10 January 2005. It aims to protect against passive smoking and deter those who pursue a habit that is calculated to kill 90,000 Italians a year.
The new law obliges restaurants, bars, offices and factories to prohibit tobacco use on their premises unless they are able to provide special sealed off rooms with smoke extractors. In reality, not many retailers will be able to fulfill this condition, making it practically impossible to smoke in any public places.
A fine of up to 2,000 euros may be levied on businesses which fail to comply with this law. Smokers themselves may be fined up to 275 euros. The fine can double if a smoker lights up in front of children or pregnant women.
Italy is the third European country, after Ireland and Norway, to bring in a smoking ban. The British government has revealed plans to follow suit. A recent White Paper on public health calls for a smoke-free environment in workplaces and establishments that serve food by 2009 across England.
Markos Kyprianou, EU’s new Public Health Commissioner, called for an EU-wide ban on smoking during his hearing in the European Parliament on 8 October 2004.