In this city in northern Italy, a ban on smoking outdoors has been in place for two days in order to improve air quality. What other countries restrict tobacco consumption?
- Since January 1, 2025, it is no longer possible to smoke outside in Milan.
- This anti-smoking measure was taken to “reduce PM10” and “protect the health of citizens against active and passive smoking in public places”.
- Tobacco causes more than 8 million deaths each year, according to the WHO.
In Milan, the city council approved an “air quality ordinance” in 2020, which defines the priorities and deadlines for a series of actions aimed at improving the quality of the environment in the city. Since January 19, 2021, residents and tourists could not smoke in certain places open to the public such as transport stops, green spaces, stadiums and cemeteries. For the start of this new year, another anti-smoking measure has come into force.
Smoking: in Milan, a “smoking ban extended to all outdoor public spaces”
“From January 1, 2025, the smoking ban will be extended to all outdoor public spaces,” can we read in a press release. A decision taken in order to “reduce PM10, that is to say polluting particles which are harmful to the lungs” and for “protect the health of citizens against active and passive smoking in public places and those frequented by minors”. If cigarette consumers, who can smoke only in places “isolated where it is possible to maintain a distance of at least ten meters from passers-by”, violate this ban, they can receive a fine ranging from 40 to 240 euros.
What anti-smoking measures are in place in the countries?
If the majority of countries, including France, prohibit smoking in indoor public places, are there rules for outdoor public spaces? In Mexico, smoking is not allowed anywhere other than in clearly identified smoking areas since 2023. Thus, smoking is banned in hotels, markets, parks, streets and on beaches . In Japan, since July 1, 2019, a law prohibits smoking in public spaces. However, there are places dedicated to “cigarette time” and smoking areas outside. In Canada, it is not possible to light a cigarette on the terraces of Quebec restaurants and bars and it is prohibited to smoke or vape within a 9 meter radius of any door or window that opens or air intakes communicating with a closed place where smoking is prohibited.
Tobacco kills more than 8 million people per year
As a reminder, tobacco is “one of the most serious threats ever to global public health”, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, it causes more than 8 million deaths each year. Smoking is involved in the occurrence of certain cancers (lung, upper aerodigestive tract, bladder, liver, pancreas, breast, colon, etc.) but also promotes certain cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, hypertension, stroke, etc.) and respiratory (asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, angina, sinusitis, COPD, etc.). But that’s not all, tobacco also increases the risk of developing diabetes, Crohn’s disease, lupus, cataracts, rheumatoid arthritis and even Alzheimer’s disease. He “alters the quality of the complexion which becomes dull and accentuates the aging of the skin with the early appearance of wrinkles”, signals Health Insurance.
