Italians fume over cigarette curb (BBC)

Italians fume over cigarette curb

Many Italians are very attached to their right to smokeAn official ban on smoking in all enclosed public places - including bars, restaurants, and offices - has come into force in Italy.
But espresso and cigarettes at the local coffee bar is a daily ritual for many and there is resistance from smokers and some bar owners.
Businesses face a fine of up to 2,000 euros (£1,395) if they fail to ensure their customers do not smoke.
Some, however, are threatening not to report offenders who light up.
The smokers themselves could be slapped with a 275-euro (£191) fine.
Implementation was delayed a few days to avoid affecting the New Year celebrations.
The ban follows similar moves in Ireland and Norway last year, where smoking is now prohibited in public places.
'Witch-hunt'
"This is a real witch-hunt, where the witch isn't the cigarette but the restaurateur," Edi Sommariva, head of a trade body which represents 240,000 bars, restaurants and clubs across the country, told Reuters news agency.
I've been smoking since age 18. It's my sacred right
Antonio MartinoItalian defence minister
Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia - himself a doctor - says the new law is to protect against the dangers of passive smoking.
He said smoking was the number-one cause of preventable, premature death in Italy.
"Most of the population is tired of being poisoned by smoke in the air where they work or where they play... most Italians, three quarters of them, are with us," he said.
The health ministry has launched a campaign - particularly aimed at women - to encourage the population to kick the habit.
"Smoking is not sexy" reads one poster and another tells them not to burn their beauty by smoking.
Estimates of the total number of smokers in Italy vary between 14 and 16 million people out of a total population of 58 million.
From Monday, smoking will be restricted to private homes and open spaces. Public places will be obliged to have special ventilation systems to ensure their air is smoke-free.
But even in government it seems that not everyone is delighted by the measure which was voted into law in 2002.
"I've been smoking since age 18. It's my sacred right," Defence Minister Antonio Martino told Corriere della Sera newspaper.
The Italian trade association FIP says only 5% of bar and restaurant owners have introduced special rooms for smokers.
Rome's La Repubblica newspaper said the ban was now in place "in a climate of pedantic rows, battles of principle, farewell parties and legal disputes, and amid continuing protests and confusion".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4159587.stm