Today, Switzerland’s public transport union (UTP) announced it would ban smoking on train platforms from 1 June 2019. From this date, smoking will only be allowed in designated smoking areas.
Chur train station, one of the test locations – © Sphraner _ Dreamstime.com
The UTP hopes the ban will improve the comfort of passengers, reduce cleaning costs and better cater for both non-smokers and smokers.
In Switzerland, platform smoking bans were tested at train stations in Basel, Chur, Neuchâtel, Nyon, Bellinzona and Zurich. 75% of those interviewed at these stations said they’d like to see tighter rules on smoking and for non-smoking zones to be created.
From 1 June 2019, smoking on platforms will only be allowed in designated zones. A maximum of two zones will be created depending on the length of the platform.
Compared to much of the rest of Europe, smoking rules at Swiss train stations are liberal. Bans already exist in France, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium and Spain.
More on this:
Public transport union (UTP) press release (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now
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