Italy has implemented another strict rule for smokers. In the city of Milan, smokers will have to maintain a distance of at least 33 feet from another person. Smoking cigarettes is like a fashion in Italy. Therefore, many people have raised questions on this new rule of the government.
In the 1960s, Fellini's film "La Dolce Vita" depicted Italy as a paradise for smokers. Cigarettes were associated with glamour, with almost everyone sitting in a cafe smoking, including a tired reporter. But those days are long gone. Many laws have been made against smoking in Italy. Gradually, laws have banned smoking in indoor places like movie theaters and restaurants. Now, new rules have been made for smokers in public places in the city of Milan. The Italian government has announced many strict rules regarding outdoor smoking. Under the new rules, people can smoke outside only when there are no other people around.
The new rules regarding smoking have come into effect from January . Now smoking has been banned everywhere in the city. In less crowded areas, smoking is allowed only at a distance of 33 feet. Milan's deputy mayor Anna Scavuzzo said in a recent interview that "people will smoke a little less, which is good for their and everyone's health." She said that "people who do not smoke will be less exposed to second-hand smoke due to this rule."
Strict rules on smoking, why is there controversy?
Deputy Mayor Anna Scavuzzo said, "Smokers need to realize what they are doing, not non-smokers. Let us tell you that the city of Milan is the fashion and design capital of Italy and tourists from all over the world come here. It is famous for its interesting culture and fashion shows. But, after this new rule of the government, tourists coming to the city will have difficulty in finding a place to smoke.
Critics are questioning this decision of the government. Critics say that the real problem is not smoking but it is an attack on a beloved way of life. Vittorio Feltri, one of the chief editors of Milan's conservative newspaper Il Giornale, has expressed anger in an editorial. He said that "the real problem is not cigarettes, but the loss of freedom of choice." He said that, "In a world where we try to control every aspect of our lives, where we are afraid of everything and everyone, smoking outside, among friends, is not just a sign of tobacco's sociable power, but an act of rebellion against conformity."
Italy's rules regarding cigarettes are getting stricter
In Italy, strict rules were made regarding smoking in public places since 2005. Smoking was banned in public indoor places. At that time, the Italian government had implemented Europe's strictest rules on smoking. At that time too, people had questioned the government's decision. But, the important question was how effective these rules would be in Italy. In Italy, it is common for people to smoke cigarettes after meals. However, after the rule was made, people followed the law despite expressing their displeasure. According to the data of Italy's national statistics agency ISTAT and the Ministry of Health, the number of smokers in the country's population above the age of 14 fell from 22 percent to 19 percent.
Like Italy, the addiction to smoking is increasing continuously among people in India too. A crowd of cigarette smokers is being seen in public places. The addiction to smoking cigarettes is increasing even among younger people. Therefore, such rules can be made in India too regarding smoking cigarettes. Although there are rules for people smoking in public places in India too, but those rules are not followed anywhere.