So how will the smokers react ?
This morning the face of Italy has been changed for ever. From midnight last night smoking has been banned from all bars and restaurants in Italy. Smokers will have to go in an closed room set aside just for smokers if there is one provided or smoke outside. Some bars in Barga have been no smoking places for a couple of years, such as Aristo's in Barga Vecchia, so his clientele have already had a couple of seasons to get used to the idea of standing outside in the piazza to smoke. Compulsory wearing of seatbelts in cars was made law a number of years ago but a quick check on passing cars in Barga will show that the law has still not been taken on board 100%. Where as the wearing of helmets on motorbikes does seem to been universally accepted as a good thing. If the smokers can give up smoking with their glass of wine, beer and coffee then anything could happen ...... maybe even many of the determined and independent Barghiagiani women who are still defying most of the trends in Europe and wearing their real furs in winter might too will crumble under the pressure being exerted on them from outside and leave their furs at home ?
A poem about smoking by Enzo can be seen here ( in Italian) | |
