A new law introduced by the commune of Saonara, in the Padova province, will see a €400 fine dished out to anyone who is caught swearing in public.

The fine can be imposed on anyone vilifying any religion, Italian media report.

Mayor Walter Stefan said that the idea behind the law is educational, not moralist. “Everyone is free to behave how he or she likes in the privacy of their home,” he said, but in public it will be a different story.

If the person caught swearing in public is under age, the fine will be imposed on his or her parents or guardians.