Tattoos enter Italian inflation basket

(ANSA) - Rome, February 3 - National statistics agency Istat said Wednesday that it has updated its basket of goods for inflation calculations, with tattoos coming in and tickets for sleeping cars on trains going out. The basket of items representing Italian consumer trends now also includes men's shorts, girls' leggings, LED light bulbs, vegetable-based drinks, integrated TV, Internet and telephone services, student lodging, electrostatic dust cloths, used cars and electric drills. Consumer association Codacons said it found "incomprehensible" changes in the inflation basket that increased the weight of accommodation and restaurant services, while decreasing that of the transport sector. "Inserting tattoos, LED light bulbs and integrated telecommunications services is Ok because these items have powerfully entered the lives of the Italian people," Codacons President Carlo Rienzi said. "(But) in recent years, families have cut down on travelling and dinners at restaurants, while transport is a big factor in people's monthly spending".