Tony Loeb

🚬 Milan's Mayor Beppe Sala has implemented a smoking ban effective January 1, 2025, prohibiting cigarettes in outdoor public areas, including streets within 10 meters of others. Aimed at sustainability and reducing PM10 pollution, the controversial measure faces opposition from hospitality professionals and skepticism about its enforcement and impact on tourism and local businesses. Hospitality operators criticize the rule as undemocratic, with some refusing to remove outdoor ashtrays and questioning the exclusion of e-cigarettes.

📈 Il Consiglio dei Ministri italiano ha avviato l'esame di un disegno di legge annuale sulle piccole e medie imprese proposto dal Ministro delle Imprese e del Made in Italy Urso. La legge mira a qualificare i ruoli nel settore Horeca, vitale per l'economia con 3,400 aziende di distribuzione che supportano oltre 330,000 punti di consumo tra bar, ristoranti e pizzerie in Italia. Italgrob, federazione di distributori Horeca, ha promosso l'iniziativa, sottolineando l'importanza del riconoscimento formale del settore.

💸 La legge di bilancio ha aumentato l'esenzione fiscale per le mance nel settore turistico, alberghiero e della ristorazione dal 25% al 30% e la soglia di reddito da 50.000 a 75.000 euro. FIPE-Confcommercio elogia l'incontro del Ministro del Turismo con l'ABI e APSP per risolvere i problemi dei POS non aggiornati, ostacolando la gestione digitale delle mance, normativa in vigore da due anni. FIPE-Confcommercio chiede una migliore collaborazione per il benessere dei lavoratori.

🏠 Bed-and-Breakfast.it, an Italian travel platform, has achieved 100% compliance with the national regulation by completing the blackout of 660 non-compliant facilities. Founder Giambattista Scivoletto highlighted the company's commitment to legality and transparency. The platform is the first in Italy to manually verify all CIN codes of listed establishments, half of which already hold the CIR and can be reinstated upon receiving their CIN. This move combats illegal practices like the recent use of fake CIN codes by some Naples accommodations.

🍺 Dry January inspires conscious consumption habits annually. Elemento Indigeno celebrates by offering Pomologik's artisanal cider, crafted in a remote Swedish corner by Johan Sjöstedt, Oskar Palm, and Patrik Svensk. These ciders, made from naturally fermented local apples without additives or preservatives, encapsulate the essence of forgotten fruits and ancient traditions. Hantverkscider Aroma Apple, an alcohol-free option from the Aroma apple variety, caters to non-drinkers and those who prefer not to drink during meals.

🍸 Gin originated from the Netherlands, not England, with early versions like "jenever," and an Italian proto-gin from the 16th century. Gin and jenever differ in their base alcohol and taste, with jenever being softer. High-quality gins can be enjoyed neat. The gin production process is complex, requiring expertise to balance botanicals. Gin has regained popularity among youth through drinks like Gin Tonic. Some gins have colors due to botanical infusions, such as pink from roses. Gin doesn't have to be 40 degrees; 37.5 is acceptable. Italy has a long tradition of juniper spirits, with Luxardo producing since 1833. Quality gins can exceed 50 euros, and some gins pair well with food, enhancing dishes and serving as a culinary ingredient.