The NS and ProRail have made the joint decision to ban smoking at train stations entirely. The ban will likely come into effect fully from October 2020 onwards. The NS will also stop selling tobacco products at its stores in stations, NOS reports.Â
The decision was made as a result of several factors. The NS and ProRail both want to contribute to the goal of reaching a smoke-free society by 2040. Additionally, the level of tolerance for smoking in the Netherlands has been decreasing, and the station authorities note that they have received plenty of complaints by travellers who are bothered by smokers.
No more smoking zones
Currently, there are “smoking zones” on all platforms at NS stations. These are delineated with a yellow line on the ground, which does exactly nothing to prevent smoke spreading beyond the smoking zones. From October 2020 onwards, these will no longer exist.
No new contracts to tobacco-selling vendors
From 1 April onwards, the NS will stop selling tobacco related products at the Kiosk and Stationshuiskamer in each station: these are the premises run by the NS itself. Other new businesses will not be offered contracts if they sell tobacco products from this date onwards as well.
What do you think of this ban? Let us know in the comments below.Â
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Finally!! I’d like to see more of such bans as smoking is bad and making others inhale second-hand smoke is even worse!