Italian resort town fines kids that smoke...

August 21, 2009 - Capoliveri is a resort town on the Italian island of Elba has adopted an ordinance penalizing children under 16 who smoke or carry tobacco on municipal property. (The town has a population of about 4,000 and a year-round police force of six. In summer, the population triples, and the number of police officers swells to 15.)

The Capoliveri ordinance takes effect August 25, 2009 the Italian news agency ANSA reported Tuesday. Minors who break the law could be fined 200 to 300 euros ($283 to $424). The legal purchase age for tobacco in Italy is 16.

Mayor Ruggero Barbetti told Il Tirreno, a newspaper on Elba: "Our aim is not to repress, but to protect the health of our young people. The ordinance has an educational value. As far as we know, we are the first in Italy to take such an initiative."

Capoliveri was also one of the first towns in Italy to fine those under 16 spotted drinking in public.

In Italy an anti-smoking law came into force on Monday, October 3, 2005.. It banned smoking in public places including bars, restaurants, discotheques and offices. Private homes, the open air or special places reserved for smokers will be the only places to light up. (Smoking Ban Begins in Italy , dw-world.de, 10/1/2005.)

More on tobacco in Italy..

Reference: Italian resort to fine smoking minors, UPI.com, 8/18/2009.