Smoking ban, the impact 10 years on.

[thenorthern]

The Glasgow Subway banned smoking in 1977 after modernization.

Smoking was never allowed on 158s, surely?

It really was, and in 159s. They allocated part of the 57xxx car one side of the divider. The same applied to 155s and 156s. A small ashtray was fitted between the seats where there is now a lump of plastic.

Needless to say, most of my journeys on them in the early days was in the 52xxx coach if I could help it.

Yes it was half of one of the coaches that allowed smoking on the Class 158s.

The Class 165s may have allowed smoking but as far as I know its never been allowed on Chiltern Railways.

 

[BestWestern]

It really was, and in 159s. They allocated part of the 57xxx car one side of the divider. The same applied to 155s and 156s. A small ashtray was fitted between the seats where there is now a lump of plastic.

Needless to say, most of my journeys on them in the early days was in the 52xxx coach if I could help it.

Wow! Didn't know that!

 

[JonathanH]

Yes it was half of one of the coaches that allowed smoking on the Class 158s.

The Class 165s may have allowed smoking but as far as I know its never been allowed on Chiltern Railways.

I think 165s were 100% non-smoking from the start. Indeed, I think that it was abolished from the 117s before they finished on the Paddington services.

 

[Bookd]

As an unrepented smoker and drinker I remember a journey a long time ago from Southampton to CJ (although not the model of the train)

The buffet car had a cosy seating area in which smoking was allowed, they had some very good canned beer, and I had a convivial journey with some new acquaintances of similar mind.

 

[BestWestern]

As an unrepented smoker and drinker I remember a journey a long time ago from Southampton to CJ (although not the model of the train)

The buffet car had a cosy seating area in which smoking was allowed, they had some very good canned beer, and I had a convivial journey with some new acquaintances of similar mind.

Sounds very much like the 'snug' on the 442s

 

[JonathanH]

As an unrepented smoker and drinker I remember a journey a long time ago from Southampton to CJ (although not the model of the train)

The buffet car had a cosy seating area in which smoking was allowed, they had some very good canned beer, and I had a convivial journey with some new acquaintances of similar mind.

Yep, that would have been on a Class 442 - in their South West Trains days, they had a 'snug' area next to the buffet. It seems that TPTB on NSE thought that any area adjacent to a buffet (eg on 422s on the South Central before 1993 and 412s and on the 442s on South West Trains until 2004) should be available for smoking.

http://extra.southernelectric.org.uk/features/rolling-stock/442/img/cd442int_snug1.jpg

 

[thenorthern]

Looking at other trains South West Trains said that they banned smoking in 2004 as they wanted to keep their new trains as fresh as possible which would presumably be the Class 444.

I don't recall Heathrow Express or Gatwick ever allowing smoking.

Just looking Merseyrail banned smoking at underground stations in 1987.

 

[thenorthern]

Non-smoking on all Virgin Trains from 30 September 2001!
From the start of the winter timetable on 30 September, Virgin Trains became non-smoking on all routes.

We have transformed the current smoking carriages to a quiet, mobile phone-free area in First Class for routes to and from London Euston. A move that has already proved popular in Standard Class.

The new Voyager trains, which are currently being rolled out across Cross Country routes, are already non-smoking throughout.

That is from Virgin Trains in 2001, now I know where the quiet zone comes from.

 

[didcotdean]

First Great Western introduced the complete ban on smoking on 9 March 2000, ie the day after Ash Wednesday.

 

[thenorthern]

How often have you seen people flouting the ban?

When it first came in the platform ban was regularly flouted but at staffed stations the staff seem to be very good an enforcing the law and people don't smoke on platforms, at unstaffed stations I generally find people flouting the ban.

Onboard the train I occasionally see people flouting the e-cigs ban but never the tobacco smoking ban. I think that may be down to the fact that smoking on most trains has been banned for many before the ban and people know its something they won't be able to get away with.

 

[jon0844]

Funny you say that as two old blokes were smoking on a 387 tonight between Knebworth and Welwyn Garden City. I told them to stop and they complied, but the carriage stank and I got off at Hatfield so no idea if they lit up again.

First time I've seen this in years though.

 

[DelW]

When it first came in the platform ban was regularly flouted but at staffed stations the staff seem to be very good an enforcing the law and people don't smoke on platforms, at unstaffed stations I generally find people flouting the ban.

My local station is manned, but all the buildings are on the down platform and most passengers are waiting for trains on the up platform, which has an unmanned gate to the road outside midway along it.

I do sometimes see people smoking at the ends of the platforms, but TBH they are less nuisance there than the smokers who congregate to smoke (legally) just outside the gate.

 

[Essan]

Must admit I have occasionally had a smoke (pipe) when waiting on the platform at Lochailort for the early morning train south - usually for self-preservation from the midges! But there's never anyone else there to see me anyway. I don't do so anywhere else though.

 

[thenorthern]

I would say most the people I see smoking on the platform aren't aware of the law and don't know they are breaking the law. All rail staff including conductors, platform staff, booking office staff and cleaners however seem to be very good at telling passengers not smoke if the light up.

A couple of time I have told people on the Metrolink not to smoke or vape on platforms and I normally get told that they aren't / its not illegal / its only one or some other meaningless excuse.

Looks like this Southern Rail staff member is not happy about being told not to smoke.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHqUTiAV66k

 

[CharlieSpotted]

A couple of times recently here in London Midland territory I've come across people smoking on trains... not cigarettes, though. These are, of course, the last people you'd want to challenge.

 

[thenorthern]

A couple of times recently here in London Midland territory I've come across people smoking on trains... not cigarettes, though. These are, of course, the last people you'd want to challenge.

Were they the kind of people who you wouldn't want to challenge for not having a ticket?

 

[Paul180]

I'm always seeing people smoking on stations large and small some do it quite openly.

I use Woking a lot and from my observations men seem to stand at the ends of the platforms and what they think are little hidey-holes on P5 and they think they won't bee seen or smelt and women seem to smoke quite openly.

But I do love the person who does the manual PA announcer it goes something like this "I would like to remind passengers that smoking is not allowed anywhere on SWT station or trains and that includes you sir / madam trying to hide at the top of platform 6"

But today I got on a train from Ash to Aldershot and there was a group openly smoking something then when I got off at Aldershot there was some twit sitting on the platform edge (next to a bench) with his legs dangling off the edge having a smoke, when I pointed out to him that trains use this platform he said yea I know man I'm getting it a few wise words later he shuffled back.:roll::

Then on my return journey it smelt like someone was smoking in the same carriage I was in.

It's probably the first time I have seen some one smoking on a SWT train since the ban.

 

[Antman]

I'm always seeing people smoking on stations large and small some do it quite openly.

I use Woking a lot and from my observations men seem to stand at the ends of the platforms and what they think are little hidey-holes on P5 and they think they won't bee seen or smelt and women seem to smoke quite openly.

But I do love the person who does the manual PA announcer it goes something like this "I would like to remind passengers that smoking is not allowed anywhere on SWT station or trains and that includes you sir / madam trying to hide at the top of platform 6"

But today I got on a train from Ash to Aldershot and there was a group openly smoking something then when I got off at Aldershot there was some twit sitting on the platform edge (next to a bench) with his legs dangling off the edge having a smoke, when I pointed out to him that trains use this platform he said yea I know man I'm getting it a few wise words later he shuffled back.:roll::

Then on my return journey it smelt like someone was smoking in the same carriage I was in.

It's probably the first time I have seen some one smoking on a SWT train since the ban.

I only see the occasional passenger smoking on the platform, some seemingly don't know it is forbidden, although I did recently see a naughty staff member having a crafty vape on the platform but my lips are sealed.

 

[edwin_m]

But today I got on a train from Ash to Aldershot and there was a group openly smoking something

Perhaps they got the Ash train mixed up with the ash tray?

 

[Butts]

How often have you seen people flouting the ban?

When it first came in the platform ban was regularly flouted but at staffed stations the staff seem to be very good an enforcing the law and people don't smoke on platforms, at unstaffed stations I generally find people flouting the ban.

If you ever get the chance travel up to Crianlarich it is a well known location where both staff and passengers regularly decamp onto the Platform for a smoke during changeovers etc

The "smoking stasi" are somewhat less prevalent in the Highlands allowing for a more liberal approach.

 

[xc170]

Never smoked, never will, but I'd much rather people have a crafty cig at the end of the platform than gather around the main entrance forcing you to walk through a cloud of smoke...

 

[Butts]

Never smoked, never will, but I'd much rather people have a crafty cig at the end of the platform than gather around the main entrance forcing you to walk through a cloud of smoke...

Until Abellio took over from First Scotrail last year that's exactly what smokers could legally have done in most of Scotlands Stations - smoke on open platforms

 

[EMD]

Since we're on subject of smoking on trains

 

[HOOVER29]

Smokers on platforms think they're invisible.
Should be on the spot fines but alas I've noticed especially on stations such as Leeds & Doncaster people smoke whenever they want & the staff just ignore them.
I gave up smoking 4 yrs ago after 33 yrs of the habit & a warning from the doctor saying I wouldn't see 50 if I didn't. I had two medicals & both told me I had the lungs of a 70 yr old at the age of 45.
I recently had another medical & after losing 3 stone I'm fit & healthy & can look forward to seeing my nieces & nephews growing up.

 

[Antman]

Smokers on platforms think they're invisible.
Should be on the spot fines but alas I've noticed especially on stations such as Leeds & Doncaster people smoke whenever they want & the staff just ignore them.
I gave up smoking 4 yrs ago after 33 yrs of the habit & a warning from the doctor saying I wouldn't see 50 if I didn't. I had two medicals & both told me I had the lungs of a 70 yr old at the age of 45.
I recently had another medical & after losing 3 stone I'm fit & healthy & can look forward to seeing my nieces & nephews growing up.

Yes it should be a fixed penalty for smoking on the platform and indeed for cycling on the platform but there are never any BTP around.

Some staff do take action about smoking, either a quiet word or embarrass them over the PA.

 

[tsr]

Funnily enough, over the last couple of weeks I have seen a major increase in people smoking illegally on trains and stations. There has also been rather more arrogance and abuse when people have been asked to stop it, and some distressed passengers as a result.

If you ever get the chance travel up to Crianlarich it is a well known location where both staff and passengers regularly decamp onto the Platform for a smoke during changeovers etc

The "smoking stasi" are somewhat less prevalent in the Highlands allowing for a more liberal approach.

Interesting that you say that.

It's somewhat alien to my experiences. It is contrary to the rather vigorous telling-off that I saw, not too long ago, given by Caledonian Sleeper staff to someone for smoking on the platform at Rannoch whilst waiting for a train to depart.

(Perhaps this is because some Sleeper crews are annoyed by fire risk anywhere near confined sleeping accommodation, and rightly so, in my opinion.)

 

[Stigy]

Yes it should be a fixed penalty for smoking on the platform and indeed for cycling on the platform but there are never any BTP around.

Some staff do take action about smoking, either a quiet word or embarrass them over the PA.

There's no such penalty notice for smoking or cycling unfortunately. However, offenders can be reported for summons which will hit them harder, just depends if there's staff about to report these people though.

 

[Butts]

Funnily enough, over the last couple of weeks I have seen a major increase in people smoking illegally on trains and stations. There has also been rather more arrogance and abuse when people have been asked to stop it, and some distressed passengers as a result.



Interesting that you say that.

It's somewhat alien to my experiences. It is contrary to the rather vigorous telling-off that I saw, not too long ago, given by Caledonian Sleeper staff to someone for smoking on the platform at Rannoch whilst waiting for a train to depart.

(Perhaps this is because some Sleeper crews are annoyed by fire risk anywhere near confined sleeping accommodation, and rightly so, in my opinion.)[/QUOTE]

Indeed it's a wonder there were not multiple fires for the 100 Years Plus Smoking was permitted on the Train hauled by a Steam Loco spewing out red hot embers

 

[gimmea50anyday]

so its not the smokers themselves spewing out red hot embers then...

 

[xc170]

Just remembered something from a couple of years ago, I was on my way to the Ffestitinog railway and the train had stopped at Betws-y-Coed and someone was smoking on the platform, the guard took it upon himself to scream from the rear of the train something about not smoking and put it out now.

Total over reaction in my opinion, walking up to the person smoking and reminding them it's illegal would have sufficed, I actually felt embarrassed for the smoker.