ATHENS

Italy’s northern city of Milano introduced a new ban on smoking in all public areas, as reported by the local media on Wednesday.

According to the ban, which came as part of the air and climate plan embraced by the city council in 2020, smoking ban was extended to all public or publicly used areas including road areas with the exception of isolated places where it is possible to maintain a distance of at least 10 meters (32.8 feet) from other people, according to state-run ANSA news agency.

Smoking will therefore also be prohibited in the outdoor areas of bars and restaurants, it added.

The agency, citing regional air quality protection agency, maintained that cigarette smoke is responsible for 7% of dust emission in Milan, and the ban intends to reduce air pollution.