Prime Highlights:
Milan enforces a citywide smoking ban in outdoor and public spaces starting January 1, 2025.
Fines for violators range from €40 to €240.
Key Background:
As of January 1, 2025, Milan has implemented the most stringent smoking ban to date, extending restrictions to all outdoor and public spaces across the city. This citywide prohibition, which is part of a broader initiative to improve air quality, represents the latest phase in Milan’s efforts to reduce smoking-related pollution. The ban, which encompasses all streets and public areas, carries fines ranging from €40 to €240 for those caught violating the new regulations.
This move follows a series of bans introduced since 2021 aimed at curbing smoking in high-traffic public spaces. Smoking is still allowed in isolated locations, but smokers must adhere to a strict 10-meter distance from other people. Notably, the law does not extend to electronic cigarettes (vapes), which remain unaffected by the new restrictions.
The motivation behind the ban is twofold: to protect citizens from the harmful effects of passive smoke and to improve air quality in Milan, one of Europe’s most polluted cities. The city’s central location in the industrial Po Valley, coupled with heavy traffic congestion, has contributed to its struggles with air contamination.
This latest ban aligns with Milan’s ongoing efforts to comply with an air quality ordinance passed by the City Council in 2020, which is part of a broader strategy to reduce smoking in public spaces. The initiative is also seen as a preemptive measure ahead of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, with city officials seeking to dramatically reduce pollution and ensure cleaner air for visitors and residents alike.
