- Title: ITALY: ITALIANS PREPARE FOR NEW SMOKING BAN
- Date: 11th January 2005
- Summary: (EU) ROME, ITALY (JANUARY 9, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. SLV PEOPLE SITTING AT TABLES OUTSIDE A BAR / RESTAURANT; MV TWO PEOPLE SMOKING AT TABLE; MV PERSON EATING AT TABLE (3 SHOTS) 0.28 2. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) MAURO SAYING: "It's a scandal because a government, which earns money on tax from cigarettes, can't make laws against smoking. It's like selling cars and then not allowing you to put petrol in because it pollutes - it's the same thing." 0.45 3. MV WAITER SERVING COFFEE TO CUSTOMERS AT TABLES; MV WAITRESS INSIDE CAFE WALKING DOWN STAIRS INTO THE MAIN DINING AREA; MV PEOPLE EATING AT TABLES (3 SHOTS) 1.04 4. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) VINCENZO SAYING: "I am an ex-smoker therefore I can understand the problems smokers have with this law. But, in places where people eat, the smell of smoke is annoying. And there aren't just cigarettes, but cigars and pipes, it's quite annoying. I think this law is just." 1.25 5. MV WAITER SERVING UP FOOD; SCU SIGN IN CAFE SAYING PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE 1.38 6. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) OWNER OF CAFE, PAOLO ROSETTI, SAYING: "Well, first of all, we aren't going to make any reports to any of the authorities. The law is a just one, but it has been introduced too quickly." 2.00 7. SLV/MV/SCU PEOPLE DINING AT A RESTAURANT IN ROME 2.09 8. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) MR. ZAMBIT SAYING: "Undoubtedly, it will be a boost for one's health, for non-smokers. It could also be an incentive for smokers to give up." 2.23 9. MV PEOPLE DINING 2.29 10. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) CETTINA SAYING: "Look, the government, instead of making this law, seeing that cigarettes are a state monopoly, they should stop selling them. In that case, fine. The state has made that law and that's it. But, if the government earns money from me, then prohibits me from smoking in places I go to, isn't that a contradiction." 2.51 11. MV DINERS IN RESTAURANT 2.55 12. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) OWNER MARCELLO CIUFFOLI SAYING: (If a customer lights, Ill say) "I'm sorry you can't smoke, it's the law, it's not as if I can go against it. It's also for other clients sitting nearby who are non-smokers. They'll still have to stand the smokers but only until the tenth (of January)." 3.15 13. MV BAR WITH BARMAN AND CUSTOMERS; SCU GIRL LIGHTING UP CIGARETTE 3.32 14. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) OWNER, ROBERTO DAMELIA, SAYING: "I will always try to intervene in situations where I know the clientele. Only if someone is really uncivil and say for example, if there were a real risk they could (physically) damage my bar, only then would I call the police." 3.50 15. MV MAN SMOKING INSIDE BAR 4.02 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 26th January 2005 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ROME, ITALY
- Country: Italy
- Reuters ID: LVA9ZL25SK10K1MA7FXS7AVJGT62
- Story Text: Italians are getting ready to stub out as a new
smoking ban comes into effect.
First there was Ireland, the home of the smoky pub,
now its the turn of the easy-going Mediterranean. Italy
will ban smoking in all indoor public spaces when midnight
strikes on Monday morning (January 10).
The ban - delayed for a few days to allow revellers to
enjoy their last ever New Year celebrations in smoky bars,
aims to end passive smoking and deter those who choose to
pursue a habit which kills 90,000 people in Italy every
year.
Although smokers are in the minority, 18 million out
of a total population of 58 million (of which eight million
are under 15) many Italians are sceptical of a ban which
they feel smacks of American or northern European
puritanism.
And, they say, it is a law full of contradictions.
"It's a scandal," said smoker Mauro, "because a
government, which earns money on tax from cigarettes, can't
make laws against smoking. It's like selling cars and then
not allowing you to put petrol in because it pollutes -
it's the same thing."
But, die-hard smokers will have to think twice before
lighting up as they risk a fine of up to 275 euros. And,
the sum doubles if the offence takes place in the presence
of pregnant women or children under 12.
"I am an ex-smoker therefore I can understand the
problems smokers have with this law," said Vincenzo. "But,
in places where people eat, the smell of smoke is annoying.
And there aren't just cigarettes, but cigars and pipes --
it's quite annoying. I think this law is just," he added.
In a country where breaking the rules is often
considered a right, there are many doubts about whether the
new law will really have much impact.
It relies on the owners of bars and restaurants -- the
vast majority of whom have not built special, closed off
smoking rooms -- to ensure their customers do not smoke.
Owners face fines of up to 2,000 euros ($2,725) and may
have their licence revoked if they fail to enforce it.
But, restaurant and bar owners say they refuse to be
the states sheriffs as the law requires them to call the
police if their customers refuse to butt out.
Bar-restaurant owner Paolo Rossetti said although he
agreed with the law, he felt not enough time has been given
to owners to put into place requirements such as a
expensive ventilation systems to create these special
smoking rooms.
"Well, first of all, we aren't going to make any
reports to any of the authorities. The law is a just one,
but it has been introduced too quickly," said Rossetti.
Owners risk being caught out by undercover police who
are planning crack-downs even in the first few hours of the
ban in the early hours on Monday (January 10) in some
cities.
But, critics say in the long run the law will be
unworkable when the police arrive only to find the smoker
has put out his cigarette and denies he was smoking.
"Undoubtedly, it will be a boost for one's health --
for non-smokers. It could also be an incentive for smokers
to give up," said Mr. Zambit, who is happy about the ban,
dining in a central Rome restaurant.
"Look, the government, instead of making this law,
seeing that cigarettes are a state monopoly, they should
stop selling them," complained smoker Cettina.
In that case, fine. The
state has made that law and that's it. But, if the
government earns money from me, then prohibits me from
smoking in places I go to, isn't that a contradiction?" she
said.
When asked how he plans to confront a customer who
lights up, restaurateur Roberto Ciuffoli said: "I'll say
'I'm sorry you can't smoke, it's the law,' it's not as if
I can go against it. It's also for other clients sitting
nearby who are non-smokers. They'll still have to stand the
smokers but only until the tenth (of January).
Italy's trade body FIPE which represents 240,000 bars,
restaurants and night-clubs nation-wide says the law is the
most rigid in Europe, which saw Ireland, Norway and Malta
introduce similar bans last year.
Bar owner Roberto D'Amelia explained he too plans to
take a diplomatic approach with customers who decide to
flout the law, only calling the police as a last resort
"I will always try to intervene in situations where
I know the clientele. Only if someone is really uncivil
and, say for example, if there were a real risk they could
(physically) damage my bar, only then would I call the
police," said DAmelia
Meanwhile, hardened Italian smokers haven't called it
quits just yet.
A smokers backlash has already begun with a group
called the Association of Courteous and Tolerant Smokers
gathering support for a petition against the law. But, they will
be up against the majority of Italians
who won't let smoke get in their eyes, welcoming this
long-awaited breath of fresh air.
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