I have just returned from a few days in Venice, where, to my amazement, smoking has been banned.
You can't smoke in any public building, bar, restaurant, cafe, shop, (water) bus stop, boat or gondola.
A first offence attracts a fine of 27.5 euros, rising to 275 euros "if the offence takes place in the presence of an obviously pregnant woman, or a child under the age of 12."
The bars and cafes didn't look empty and I didn't see anyone flout the ban.
Brighton and Hove City Council has taken the first steps towards banning smoking in public.
If the Italians can do it, you can too.
-Delia Forester, Brighton
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