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Outdoor smoking banned in Naples 

So there’s burning trash, and cars spewing too much carbon dioxide. But in an attempt to curtail the increased incidents of lung cancer in this southern Italian metropolis, Naples officials have banned smoking — outdoors.

Starting Sunday, the city has enacted an ordinance that bans lighting up in public parks or outdoor rallies and cultural events if children or pregnant woman are present.

“It’s funny that Naples would be the city to ban it. I mean, with all the burning garbage and all, that’s the problem?” asked an incredulous Hospitalman Dennis Lees, 23. “If they’re concerned about air quality, they should be concerned about the burning trash.

“I live in the barracks [at the Capodichino base,] and on any given day I can look out and see several smoke pillars, random fires happening.”

Naples isn’t really known for its stringent enforcement of laws. . . .

Carlo Schettini, commander of the municipal police, was quoted Monday in the Naples’ daily newspaper Il Napoli as saying enforcement of the ordinance would be very “soft,” though more police are expected to patrol parks now that the ban is in effect.

“First you can’t smoke in bars, and now you can’t smoke outside. Outside,” emphasized Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Matthews, 33, who has been smoking for about 17 years.

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