The Italian State Monopoly controlling the sale of cigarettes has issued instructions that all automatic machines distributing cigarettes must be equipped with a system for reading identity documents in order to prevent under-sixteen-year-olds from buying cigarettes. To purchase from such a distributor it will be necessary to show an identity document with magnetic strip, issued by a public office, demonstrating the age of the holder. As a transitional measure, distributors without the reading system will continue to be allowed to function between 21.00 and 7.00 for the time being.