CC-Villas - Blog

06.01.05

Happy New Year...

The Italian Health minister has prepared a nice new year's gift for a high percentage of the Italian population: From 1 January 2005 onwards (by now „postponed“ to the end of the month) smoking will only be allowed in Italian restaurants, cafes etc if they can provide a separate room with its own and independant ventilation. It goes without saying that only a small number of restaurant owners will be in a positon to comply with that new law; which means this will be, through the back door, a decision with major impact.

We will, however, have to see what really will happen. Experience in this country make us assume it is not yet all done, not everything the „superiors“ impose will be put in place as they had wished. Most probably there will some „italian“ solutions and a lengthy transition phase. Like with the „No Smoking“ signs at the Roman airports which, cleverly enough, have been attached to the many ashtrays in the lounges. Or like when the law was established to put on safety belts in cars: The day the law was put in vigor T-shirts appeared on the market (they say it happened in Naples) with a black diagonal stripe printed on the front; they were sold out in short time......Tourists and some purist from Northern Italy put on safety belts today, the rest continues to neglect the obligation. Police and Carabinieri forces included, unless a superior officer is on bord the car. By the way: if you are „caught“ without belt it will cost you some 62 EURO, at least in Puglia, haven't made experiences of my own in other Italian regions yet...