Calls for Ireland to ban outdoor smoking after European city takes severe action

There have been calls for Ireland to follow Milan's lead after the Italian city issued a city-wide ban on smoking in all public places. It came into effect at the start of this month. 

Local officials have said that those who break the law could face fines of between €40 to €240.

This ban is aimed to improve the cities air quality as Milan is said to be one of Europe's "most polluted cities."

According to IQ AIR, Milan is currently ranking top 22 cities in the world with "unhealthy air" quality. 

Dublin is currently ranks in the top 105 cities in the world with "good" air quality, according to iqair.com

A post on X by Newstalk has sparked a debate on the topic as people share their opinions on whether Ireland should follow Milan's footsteps or not. 

With a mix of people agreeing and disagreeing with the motion, one X user commented "Bring it on! There is nothing worse than walking behind a dirty smoker."

Another X user commented "no we are a free country."

Some people have said "it's a waste of resources" and others have said "it's a great idea."

For the sake of human rights regarding freedom i say no, for the sake of human health I say yes.

— Kieran O Sullivan (@Kieran6793) January 3, 2025

According to date by EuroNews, 14.1% of people in Ireland over the age of 15 are smokers.

This is less than the EU average of 19.7%.

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Sweden, the country with the lowest percentage of daily smokers with 9.3%, banned smoking in outdoor public places in 2019.

The World Health Organisation estimates, according to EuroNews, that tobacco is one of the biggest public health threats in the world, killing more than eight million people a year. 

Around half of smokers die prematurely and on average around 14 years earlier, according to WHO.

Ireland, in 2020, had an estimated incidence rate of 71 of lung cancers, according to a chart by EuroNews.

Sweden had the lowest rate of lung cancer reports with 45, and it is also the country with the least amount of smokers.