Milan will ban outdoor smoking on January 1, 2025, with fines up to €240.

This ban is part of a series of regulations that have been gradually implemented since 2021, which already prohibited smoking in bus stations, parks, and sports facilities.

The new rules aim to restrict smoking in crowded public outdoor areas where a safe distance of 10 meters cannot be ensured. Starting January 1, 2025, Milan, Italy, will ban outdoor smoking unless smokers are at least 10 meters away from other people. Violators will face fines ranging from 40 to 240 euros.

This decision has sparked controversy. The Italian Tobacco Association has taken this regulation to court, arguing that the Milan city government has no authority to implement such measures and that this type of intervention should be discussed nationally. Meanwhile, the association has criticised the complexity of implementing bans in public places. The Regional Administrative Court has dismissed the association’s lawsuit, and the association has appealed to the country’s highest court, awaiting a final ruling.

The Green Party (Verzi) supports the ban. However, it is unclear whether all outdoor areas are included in this regulation, and the legal definition of “public space” still needs to be clarified.