City councillors voted by a large majority to prohibit smoking outdoors in public places, except in isolated areas, from January 1, 2021.
From public transport stops to parks, cemeteries and sports facilities, including stadiums, smoking will be banned within 10 metres of other people, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
The clean air legislation also includes a requirement for petrol stations to install electric car-charging points, and the phasing out of diesel-powered heating systems.
\Milan Mayor Giuseppe (Beppe) Sala is planning to ban smoking completely in all public outdoor areas from January 1, 2025, prompted by studies showing how smoking contributes to pollution.
Along with other cities including Rome and Florence, Milan was recording dangerously high pollution levels – specifically of PM10 fine particles – at the beginning of the year.
Some vehicles were banned from driving in city centres during what officials called the “smog emergency”.
