Since the January introduction in Italy of a law that forbids smoking in public places, Rome has developed a new pavement society. Smart restaurants have furnished the pavements outside their establishments with benches, tables, ashtrays and even gas heaters to cater for people who go outside to smoke. Restaurants, where once customers lingered late to talk over a glass of wine and a cigarette, are finding that people eat and go home early; restaurateurs have had to learn to keep a careful eye on the customer who pops out to smoke and vanishes without paying the bill.