Lucca is taking a stand against "buttadentros", those increasingly common figures who, with often insistent ways, try to lure passersby into the premises of the historic center. With a new municipal ordinance, the administration has decided to put an end to this practice, which is deemed incompatible with the city's decorum and cultural identity. "The objective is clear: to guarantee a serene, free and autonomous enjoyment of the historic center, protecting the beauty and livability of the public spaces", reads the official note from the municipality. The measure expressly prohibits stopping passersby to invite them into bars and restaurants, introducing economic penalties for offenders - from 173 to 694 euros, according to the provisions of Article 20 of the Highway Code - and harsher punishments in case of recidivism: forfeiture of the public land concession and suspension of the activity for up to three days. The phenomenon had by then become increasingly visible, especially along the central streets most frequented by tourists and visitors. “In recent months, the practice has also spread to the city's landmarks”, commented Antonio Fava, President of FIPE Confcommercio. “This is behavior that is ill-suited to the elegance and sense of hospitality that has always characterized Lucca”. Fava points out that the measure is not an isolated case: "Other tourist cities, such as Ischia, Capri or Como, have also adopted similar measures to protect the image of their historic centers. Lucca is not an odd duck, but part of a larger movement that wants to preserve the value of places, not only as a tourist attraction, but as a heritage to be respected". Reiterating the philosophy behind the ordinance was Mayor Mario Pardini himself, along with Councillor for Commerce and Urban Decor Paola Granucci: "Lucca is a city with a strong historical and cultural identity. Our ordinance is not intended to penalize commercial activity, but on the contrary to protect the quality of the experience, both for those who live here and for those who visit us. Promoting one's business is legitimate, but it cannot be done in intrusive or unfair ways".