The View from Bologna
An occasional column for Three Monkeys Online.
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January 10, 2005
Latitude and the Law - the smoking ban comes into effect in Italy
And so, after much talk (it's been proposed on and off for years), Italy has followed Ireland's example and banned smoking in public places. As of today Italy's bars and restaurants, as well as workplaces, will be theoretically smoke free.
There's a certain sense of déjà vu for an Irish observer, with, as one might expect, no small amount of polemic about the ban - various organisations and spokespeople have predicted financial catastrophe for bars and restaurants. The law is slightly more flexible than that in Ireland, allowing for smoking rooms in establishments, provided that they have costly air filtering units installed. To date only 2% of Italy's bars and restaurants have the required systems.
Application of the law has been gentle enough so far, with the Corriere della Sera reporting that smokers in Milan were cautioned but not immediately fined. In some cities fines have been given out, but it appears, according to Health minister, Girolamo Sirchia, that there will be a brief period where the authorities will endeavour to "educate the 'rebel' smokers, without fines"[1]
There's talk of forcing a referendum on the law, from FIPE, the representative body of the bar and restaurant trade, primarily because the law as it stands will punish bar/restaurant owners who don't inform the authorities of smokers on their premises.
At the same time a new association, iofumo (I smoke) has been founded with the aim of getting the law repealed.
The hidden effects of the ban? First, according to the Corriere della Sera, there has been a run on liquorice across Italy, as smokers look to substitute their cravings. The second, again according to the Corriere, is that major pharmaceutical companies are set to blitz us with multi million euro campaigns for their various patches/gums/inhalers. Lastly, with what might yet have international ramifications, Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini is using the occasion to attempt to quit smoking.
The final word,as is fitting, goes to one of Italy's finest singers, Paolo Conte. In an intriguing interview with the gravel voiced Conte, singer of many a smoky tune, the reporter mentioned that a similar law exists in Finland though they have no fine there associated with the offense. Conte, who contrary to expectations is broadly supportive of the measure, scoffed at the idea of imposing the law without fines. "If there's a law that isn't accompanied by some sanction it'll be of little use - Conte said, sagely - at least in our latitude"[2].
[1]"La prima fase, al massimo due o tre mesi, servirà per monitorare la situazione. Punterà a educare i fumatori 'ribelli' evitando le multe" - La Repubblica 10/01/2005
[2]"Sono anche convinto che se una norma non è accompagnata dalla previsione di una sanzione abbia ben poca efficacia, almeno alle nostre latitudini" - La Repubblica 10/01/2005
Posted by 3Monkeys at January 10, 2005 09:56 PM
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When the smoking ban in enclosed places was introduced in Ireland, many remarked that such a prohibition would never even be mooted in Southern Europe, with its bars and cafes are perpetually wreathed in tobacco fumes. Well it's happened in... [Read More]
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