Smokers must expect severe restrictions in the Italian city of Milan from next year. From January 1, 2021, they will only be allowed to smoke at public transport stops, in parks, in cemeteries and in sports facilities such as stadiums at a distance of ten meters from other people, as the municipality announced. Exceptions therefore apply to closed rooms.
To reduce fine dust particles that can damage the lungs
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The northern Italian city with around 1.4 million inhabitants wants to prepare smokers for what is planned for 2025, namely a smoking ban in public spaces. According to the municipality, the bans help to reduce fine dust particles (PM10) in the air, which can damage the lungs, and to protect citizens from active and passive smoking.
According to the Ministry of Health, there are around 10 million smokers in Italy among people over the age of 14. The death of around 93,000 people per year in the country with around 60 million inhabitants is due to the consequences of tobacco consumption. In Germany, this number is around 120,000, according to the Federal Ministry of Health.