Turin follows the example of other Italian and European cities and introduces the ban on smoking outdoors within five metres by other people, unless “explicit consent”. The ban will apply in any case in the presence of children or pregnant women.
Therefore, we will also take care of improving air quality “courtesy distance” for smokers outdoors proposed by councilor Silvio Viale. Who comments: «It is a cultural and respect issue. Walking away when smoking is something that is already done out of good manners. Smoking remains the main one cause of medical and oncological pathologies and this measure will encourage more conscious consumption. And I hope it can also increase responsibility towards abandoning cigarette butts. This new rule gives a cultural direction by protecting the freedom of both those who smoke and those who do not smoke.”
At the same time, starting today, in Piedmont the stop comes to the extraordinary anti-smog measures expected in the winter season for air quality. If the resolution to amend the Regulation, approved yesterday in the City Council, certainly makes lovers of the environment (and their health) happy, the same cannot certainly be said for the suspension of “blocks” for polluting vehicles. In fact, they will remain in force only the limitations that include a traffic ban for petrol and diesel vehicles used for the transport of people or goods with approval lower than or equal to Euro 2. Added to these are LPG or methane vehicles, with approval lower than or equal to Euro 1.
For the rest, there will no longer be any other bans decided on the basis of the detection of the presence of fine particles in the air. No blocking of diesels with higher approvals, for example. A decision that will cause discussion, given that the high temperatures and low rainfall in recent weeks are certainly not elements that favor the exchange of city air, but increase air pollution.
Only a month ago the committee Torino Respira had highlighted some rather worrying data (confirmed by Arpa).. In the first 42 days of 2024, daily concentrations of pollutants in the air exceeded legal limits in 21 cases. And so the people of Turin were forced half the time “to breathe an air that was illegal and dangerous for their health”. Data which unfortunately aligns with the trend of the last 10 years, except for a few “breathes of fresh air” guaranteed by climate trends.
Furthermore, the winter just ended was the warmest in the last 70 years, with an average of 4.5 degrees. And over the last weekend the thermometer reached 30 degrees. summer temperatures, rather than spring temperatures. After yesterday’s drop, however, temperatures should continue to drop.
