Venice considering going smoke-free

Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro has mooted the idea of making the lagoon city smoke-free.

For now, Brugnaro is thinking of smoke-free zones in the biggest tourist areas.

The ban would start in “some of the delicate areas of the historic centre”, the Brugnaro said, such as the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square, “where there are a lot of crowds, especially of tourists.”

Brugnaro added that Venice authorities are considering handing out “small plastic bags” for visitors to dispose of their cigarette butts in, instead of littering the city’s streets and canals.

Smoking is not allowed inside bars and restaurants in Italy, but there are no restrictions on smoking on terraces, in doorways or any kind of outdoor seating area, or at most beaches.

Via ANSA