Zug, 16.07.2019

Good news for both smokers and non-smokers at stations

Regular users of Zug station will have noticed the placards which have gone up recently announcing good news both for smokers and for non-smokers.

 

A ban on smoking on trains began some years ago, then came the ban on smoking in restaurants and, by 2020, Swiss stations, too, will, for the most part, become no-smoking areas, the idea being, of course, to ensure increased cleanliness, a better quality of air and a pleasanter experience at stations.

 

The latest restrictions, which mean smokers have to go to the end of the platform if they want to smoke, now apply at Zug, Cham, Walchwil and Rotkreuz stations and some other smaller ones but not until September at Baar and Steinhausen.

 

According to the SBB, a test phase of the new restrictions at stations in Basel met with a positive reception.

 

Warnings about the new regulations at Zug station can be seen on the ground by the entrances where ashtrays remain. Then, as mentioned, placards have been positioned on the platforms themselves, one side saying good news for non-smokers with another saying good news for smokers, the good news for the former referring to the fact that smoking is only permitted in designated areas, the good news for the latter meaning that at least there is still somewhere at a station they are allowed smoke, albeit at the end of the platform.

 

However not all smokers are happy with the restrictions, someone has crossed out the “good” and replaced it with an expletive, though also in English. Others understand the reasoning behind the new restrictions but are not happy about having to go to the end of the platforms to smoke, a place where very often only first-class carriages stop.

 

It was noticed last week that, while smokers have been making their way to the designated areas, not all are standing in the precise specified areas.