Swiss train stations to implement new anti-smoking rules

Following a test phase, Swiss train stations will proceed with a plan to restrict smoking to a maximum of two designated smoking zones per platform starting on June 1 next year, the Swiss Association of Public Transport (UTP) announced on Friday.  The UTP said in a press release that the change should lead to better air quality as well as lower cleaning costs in the stations. The details of the implementation of this regulation will be resolved in the coming months, it added.  The association has been working over the past year with the Swiss transport ministry, Swiss Federal Railways and Rhaetian Railway to test different anti-smoking regulations in six stations across the country, ranging from totally smoke-free stations to stations with smoking zones or lounges.  A study which they carried out revealed that inconveniences caused by smoking – especially smoke and cigarette butts – significantly impact the quality of time spent in Swiss train stations and lead to higher ...