Cigarettes have long been associated with fashion, occasionally even making their way onto runways. Smoking, much like the color black, seems to have a timeless presence in the fashion world.
However, starting January 1, 2025, smoking will be banned in all public spaces in Milan, Italy’s fashion and financial capital. This includes streets, meaning anyone caught smoking outdoors will face fines ranging from $41 to $249 (€40 to €240).
This move marks the toughest smoking regulation in Italy, a country where nearly 25% of the population smokes, according to the Ministry of Health. The only exception to this ban will be isolated areas at least 10 meters away from others.
Notably, the ban excludes vapes and electronic cigarettes. The primary focus of this policy is pollution control rather than health, as emphasized by the city council. The ban is part of a broader clean air initiative that began in 2020, which also involved restrictions on smoking, a contributor to 7% of all emissions in Milan and its surrounding suburbs.
The complete ban on outdoor smoking is the second phase of the city’s clean air strategy. The first phase, introduced in 2021, prohibited smoking in playgrounds, bus stops, and outdoor sports facilities. The goal is to improve air quality and safeguard public health, particularly from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Though the ban took effect on January 1, no arrests were made during the celebrations, according to Milan’s police.
Lino Stoppani, president of the public business federation Fipe Confcommercio, described the ban as “symbolic” and difficult to enforce, as business owners are not obligated to police the regulations themselves.
“Without adequate controls, these ordinances risk being more about raising awareness than achieving real change,” Stoppani said. “The positive side is that businesses are not being tasked with enforcing this rule, as that responsibility falls to local police.”
Stoppani also pointed out that the provision may have flaws, including potential confusion in its application. Despite these concerns, he clarified that his organization would not be opposing the law.
The ban will also impact visitors during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
In Italy, smoking has been prohibited in all public indoor spaces since 2005, and other cities have imposed additional smoking regulations, though enforcement has been inconsistent. In Turin, smoking is banned in front of children and pregnant women outdoors. Meanwhile, in Rome, smoking is allowed at outdoor restaurant tables, and major airports in Italy have designated smoking rooms inside their terminals.
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