ITALIAN newspaper La Republica has dubbed it "the war on the sandwich". A plan adopted by Rome's city council will see tourists prohibited from snacking on pizza, sandwiches and panini at many of the monuments in the historical centre of the city.

Sites where snacking tourists risk a fine of up to $629 include the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Colosseum.

"It is forbidden to encamp or erect makeshift shelters and stop to eat or drink in zones which have a particular historic or architectural value," reads the ordinance adopted by Rome city council.

The law was designed to protect the historic moments and follows similar bans in Venice, Florence and Bologna.

But for many residents the rule is also about teaching tourists respect.

"This is a way to re-educate people about how to behave in this city. We've let standards fall," Rome resident Viviana Di Capua told London’s Daily Telegraph.

"At the moment people can do anything they like in this city. We need to restore respect. It's just a first step – a lot more needs to be done.”

Next on the list? Banning pub crawls.



Originally published as No snacking - Rome wages war on the sandwich