Venice mulls smoking ban in historic centre

A cigarette holder on the edge of the railings on the bridge with some cigarettes on it inside in Venice Italy
By Alexandra Coulton


Venice is considering introducing smoke-free zones in the streets and squares of its historic centre.

The new regulations join a swathe of new rules the city has introduced to cope with overtourism, such as banning picnicking at popular sites among other offences, as well as its tourism tax.

According to Lonely Planet, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro came up with the idea of smoke-free zones after visiting Japan, which has implemented various anti-smoking laws including banning smoking while walking on busy streets and in certain areas.

Brugnaro told an Italian mayor’s forum in Rome the potential ban would first be rolled out in tourism hot spots in the historic centre like Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square.

“A ban on smoking would help to make Venice cleaner,” he said, according to the Local Italy.

“I’m speaking as someone who enjoys the occasional cigar, but I always try to avoid smoking when there are lots of people around, even if I’m out in the open.”

He also said Venetian authorities are considering handing out small plastic bags for visitors to dispose of their cigarettes, rather than littering the streets and canals.

But with research indicating that a quarter of Italian adults smoke, the ban is just as likely to affect locals as it is tourists.

Venice is cracking down on tourist behaviour, with two backpackers copping a $1,500 fine as well as being asked to leave the city after police caught them making coffee on the steps of the Rialto Bridge.

The city is also looking at banning large cruise ships from entering its historic centre.

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]