Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Swiss train stations to implement new anti-smoking rules

Smoking on a Swiss train platform
In Switzerland, smoking on trains themselves was prohibited back in 2005. Station buildings became smoke-free but passengers are still permitted to smoke on the platforms © Ti-Press

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 releaseExternal link 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 cleaning costs.

Compared to other European countries, smoking regulations in Swiss train stations are extremely liberal. In Britain, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain, there is a complete ban on smoking in train stations, while in Germany and Norway, smoking is permitted only in designated zones. 

In Switzerland, smoking on trains themselves was prohibited back in 2005. Station buildings became smoke-free but passengers are currently still permitted to smoke on the platforms.

More

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Swiss Armed Forces have around 147,000 personnel

More

Number of Swiss armed forces exceeds specified limit

This content was published on The Swiss armed forces had an effective headcount of around 147,000 as of March 1, 2024. This exceeds the upper limit of 140,000 specified in the army organisation by 5%.

Read more: Number of Swiss armed forces exceeds specified limit
Two men charged by the MPC with money laundering

More

Two Swiss men charged with money laundering

This content was published on One million francs, 34 million euros and around 830 kilos of gold: this is the fortune that two Swiss nationals are accused of having moved across borders for at least four years.

Read more: Two Swiss men charged with money laundering
Richemont reports lower first-half results

More

Richemont reports lower first-half results

This content was published on Geneva-based luxury goods group Richemont reported a downturn in performance for the first half of its 2024/25 financial year. Both sales and profit declined.

Read more: Richemont reports lower first-half results

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR