Since the beginning of the year, Milan's municipal police have issued 16 fines for noncompliance with the ban on outdoor smoking, which went into effect on January 1. The law prohibits smoking in the street, at bar and restaurant tables, and in other public places unless a minimum distance of 10 meters is maintained from other people. Eight penalties were imposed for failing to adhere to this distance, while four more were imposed for smoking at public transportation stops. The remaining four fines were issued in children's play areas, where the ban is absolute.