Milan Implements Italy's Strictest Outdoor Smoking Ban

The new law prohibits smoking in all public spaces, including streets, to combat air pollution and protect public health.

As of January 1, 2025, Milan has banned smoking in all outdoor public spaces, with exceptions only for isolated areas where a 10-meter distance from others can be maintained.
Violators of the ban face fines ranging from €40 to €240, while electronic cigarettes remain exempt from the new rules.
The measure is part of Milan's broader clean air strategy, which began in 2021 with smoking bans in parks, playgrounds, and bus stops.
City officials cite the ban as a step to reduce air pollution, with cigarette smoke contributing to 7% of fine particulate emissions in Milan.
Public reactions are mixed, with some praising the initiative for improving air quality, while others criticize it as an overreach restricting personal freedoms.