Mixed reactions to smoking ban at train stations

There have been mixed reactions to the announcement by NS and ProRail that smoking will be completely banned at stations from 1 October 2020 onwards, NOS reports

Yesterday, NS and ProRail announced that the smoking zones on train platforms would be removed by 1 October 2020. The NS will also stop selling tobacco products at the shops it runs in stations, and will not be giving new contracts to other stores which sell tobacco products. The latter measure will come into effect on 1 April 2020.

Ban is a logical next step

The travel association Rover reacted positively to the ban, saying it was the next logical step towards a smoke-free generation in 2040. “In the past you were allowed to smoke on the trains, then on part of the trains, then only on the platforms and now only on part of the platforms,” ​​says spokesperson Chris Vonk. “We understand today’s decision well. We are in a time when it is no longer socially responsible to smoke.”

Concerns about staff performance

But the trade union FNV Spoor brought up concerns with the smoking ban’s impact on staff. Those who smoke will likely not have time to exit the station to smoke between tasks, which means that they may have to work a full day without a cigarette. Given the addictive qualities of nicotine, this could have implications for NS staff’s alertness and mood.

Director Henri Janssen says that while the trade union does want to support their members in quitting smoking, there will be a significant proportion who cannot or don’t want to do so. For them, the absence of smoking zones on platforms will have a significant impact.

Concerns about public reaction

As always, Facebook and Twitter were alive with comment from members of the public.

Translation: Ban day. #fireworkban, #smokingban @NS_online. Has anyone ever seen where the smoking zones are on platforms? It is a pole, far away in a windy spot with a strong blue circle of 2m diameter around it. 

Translation: I’m afraid this is likely an empty measure. There are currently smoking spots on the platforms, which unfortunately too many smokers do not adhere to and therefore smoke everywhere on the platforms. This is not checked, so how will this work when the smoking ban comes into effect ….?

Translation: Smoking ban in stations and a firework ban. 2020 is beginning beautifully.

Schiphol airport also working on a ban

Schiphol airport has also begun to consider a smoking ban on its grounds. “We are currently discussing a future ban with the shops and restaurants at the airport,” says a spokesperson. “We want to make a decision before 2022 at least.” By 2022, all smoking areas need to be closed as a result of a new law passed last year.

What are your thoughts on the decision? Let us know in the comments below.

Feature image: Pixabay

Ailish Lalor
Ailish Lalor
Ailish was born in Sydney, Australia, but grew up by a forest in south-east Ireland, which she has attempted to replace with a living room filled with plants in The Hague. Besides catering to her army of pannenkoekenplantjes, Ailish spends her days convincing her friends that all food is better slightly burnt, plotting ways to hang out with dogs and cats, and of course, writing for DutchReview.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related posts

Latest posts

Where are the ‘I amsterdam’ letters? The complete selfie guide

Here's a riddle for you: what weighs 250 kilos, is two metres high, and features in around 6,000 selfies a day? The I amsterdam...

Dutch companies are “selling” residence permits via the highly skilled migrant scheme

The Netherlands employs its so-called Kennismigranten (highly skilled migrants) in many sectors, from IT to academia to... nail salons, apparently. Yup, according to research by...

Expats may soon have to take an integration course when living in Amsterdam

If you're an expat living in Amsterdam, you could soon be asked to take Dutch language classes, history lessons, and volunteer time. That's right,...

It's happening

Upcoming events

The latest Dutch news.
In your inbox.