Smoking in Rome: where it is banned, fines and cigarettes

Where smoking is banned

Italian law has banned smoking in all enclosed public premises since the "Sirchia" law came into force in 2005. In Rome, that means in practice:

• bars, restaurants, cafés and nightclubs (the indoor room, not the terrace);
• stations, including Termini station, metro stations, buses and trams;
• museums, churches and monuments;
• hotels and rentals: most ban smoking in the rooms, sometimes with a cleaning penalty.

E-cigarettes and heated tobacco follow in practice the same rules indoors. A 2016 law also bans smoking in a car with minors or a pregnant woman on board.

Fines

The fine for smoking where it is banned runs from €27.50 to €275, and it can be doubled in some cases, for example in the presence of a pregnant woman or children. The manager of an establishment that lets people smoke is also fined. Dropping a cigarette butt on the ground can also be fined.

Outdoors and on terraces

To our knowledge there is no general ban on smoking in the streets of Rome. A few places are covered, though: the areas around schools and hospitals, playgrounds, and sometimes parks and beaches under municipal orders. Café and restaurant terraces are generally open to smokers, but ask the waiter. If you see a "Vietato fumare" sign, respect it even outdoors. The rules change, as in Milan where the ban was extended in 2025: check Rome Capital's announcements.

Buying cigarettes

Cigarettes are sold in tobacconists called tabacchi, recognisable by their white "T" sign on a dark background. They also sell bus and metro tickets, stamps and phone top-ups; see the guide to transport in Rome. Sales to under-18s are banned and you may be asked for ID. Prices are set by the state and displayed: beware of street sellers.

Summary

Going further

For the city's other rules, read the rules of central Rome and those on alcohol in the street. On drugs, see cannabis and drugs in Rome.