Call for total railway smoking ban
Sixteen public health and environmental groups in China have called for a nationwide smoking ban on all conventional trains and railway platforms, arguing current partial restrictions fail to protect passengers from secondhand smoke. The proposal aligns with China’s obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and highlights inconsistent enforcement across regional operators, with only a few regions enforcing full bans on older train services.
A coalition of 16 public health, tobacco-control, and environmental protection groups in China has urged the government to implement a total smoking ban on all conventional trains and railway platforms nationwide. The proposal, released ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, argues that existing partial restrictions—such as designated smoking areas—are ineffective in eliminating secondhand smoke hazards for passengers and crew. China already enforces a full smoking ban on high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) trains, which carry about three-quarters of the country’s rail passengers. However, conventional trains—slower, older services still widely used—lack consistent regulations. Only a few regional operators, including those in Wuhan (Hubei province), Jinan (Shandong province), and the Qinghai-Xizang region, have adopted comprehensive smoking bans. The groups, including the China Association on Tobacco Control for Health, cite health risks from secondhand smoke, such as heart disease, COPD, and diabetes. Li Kewei, a WHO China Office technical officer, stated that only a full ban can ensure passenger safety, as ventilation and designated areas fail to eliminate exposure risks. The push follows a 2017 court case where a student sued a railway operator after being exposed to secondhand smoke in a designated smoking area. The court ruled in favor of removing smoking signs and ashtrays, marking a legal milestone for smoke-free protections. Experts note enforcement challenges, including retrofitting older trains and limited oversight, while advocates emphasize that a unified national ban would protect nonsmokers on both trains and platforms. Public health experts argue that smoking bans are not restrictions on freedom but necessary protections for the majority. The proposal highlights that conventional trains’ enclosed, air-conditioned carriages allow smoke to spread easily between compartments, while crowded platforms also expose nonsmokers to lingering smoke.
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