[Intl-tobacco] Smoking Ban Approved by Italian Government (fwd)

[Robert Weissman]

Smoking Ban Approved by Italian Government
Source: NewsEdge, Friday, 9/1/00

ROME (Sept. 1) XINHUA via NewsEdge Corporation - Lighting up in public and
private indoor areas throughout Italy could draw hefty fines under a
smoking ban that was formally approved Friday by Italy's cabinet.

The sweeping ban allows for designated smoking zones in ventilated areas,
but calls for stiff fines against those who violate the ban.

All publicly and privately owned indoor places open to the public are
covered by the bill, including bars, restaurants, prisons and police
stations.

Owners, managers and designated "smoke-busters" who fail to apply the
norms are also subject to fines though the cabinet Friday agreed to reduce
the penalty.

The proposed fines would range from 100,000-300,000 lire (about 50-150
U.S.  dollars) for anyone who lights up.

The ban was drafted by Italian Health Minister Umberto Veronesi and
previously approved on first reading by the cabinet and by the
State-Region Conference, and it will go into effect after being upheld by
the parliament.

Veronesi, one of Europe's leading cancer specialists, has announced a
crusade against smoking, saying that too many Italians still die of lung
cancer caused by cigarette smoke.

An estimated 1 million people, or 24.5 percent of the population, in Italy
smoke cigarettes though figures compiled by the national statistics bureau
Istat show that the percentage of smokers nationwide has fallen by nearly
1 percent since 1993.

According to Veronesi, the proceeds from the fines will be used to fund
anti-smoking campaigns, Veronese said.