Railroad SBB not tightening the screw on smoking for the time being
With a cigarette in the red smoking compartment - unthinkable today. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
Today, smoking is still permitted in certain areas on the platform. SBB does not want to change this for the time being - even if there are occasional complaints from non-smokers. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
With a cigarette in the red smoking compartment - unthinkable today. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
Today, smoking is still permitted in certain areas on the platform. SBB does not want to change this for the time being - even if there are occasional complaints from non-smokers. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
SBB abolished smoking compartments 20 years ago. Today, smoking still occasionally causes trouble - albeit on the platform. However, SBB does not want to tighten the screw at the moment.
29.11.2025, 09:01
SDA
Swiss railroad stations have actually been smoke-free for five years. However, so that smokers can calm their nerves before boarding, there are smoking zones on the platforms. Blue signs provide information about the four-meter-wide areas. There are no markings on the floor.
Most smokers adhere to the rules, according to SBB on request. However, there are also people who disregard the smoking ban outside the zones. They are approached by staff and turned away, but this rarely happens. There are no fines.
Only three to four complaints per week
Every week, three to four people complain about the clouds of smoke on the platform - throughout Switzerland. That is not a lot, which is why SBB does not want to tighten the screws at the moment. No adjustments are currently planned, they said on request.
Smoking was a much bigger issue 20 years ago, when smoking compartments were abolished. Many smokers complained and even threatened to switch to cars.
However, many smokers themselves preferred to sit in the non-smoking compartment - either because they were traveling with non-smokers or because the blue haze was sometimes literally breathtaking. The occupancy rate of the smoking compartments was recently still 25 percent.
The introduction of the smoking ban went smoothly after initial protests. Very few fines of 25 francs had to be issued. After only three to four months, the ban was established. Today, it is largely observed.
