[JURIST] A ban on smoking in enclosed public places took effect in Italy Monday in the latest European legislative move against a recognized public health hazard. As previously reported in JURIST's Paper Chase, Ireland became the first country to implement such a ban in March 2004. Norway followed in June and the British government proposed a similar measure in November. The Italian ban was delayed by several days into the New Year to indulge holiday celebrants. The ban is somewhat flexible, however, in that it leaves enforcement in the hands of the owners of restaurants and other public venues, some of whom have already said thay they will refuse to take action against their patrons or call the police. Italy's Ministry of Health has posted materials on the new smoking ban and its anti-smoking campaign in Italian. Reuters has more.