Smoking on station platform

[TDK]

I don't agree. Even if it is away from passengers, it still has the potential to be as it's an area where they can go and I, for one, would not wish to passively smoke.

Well, if you go outside Chester station entrance the smell if cigarettes and passive smoking is awful. I used to smoke but packed up a year ago. I think that this ban has caused discomfort and also passive smoking issues that were not there when smoking was permitted on an open platform. You spread the problem the less discomforting it is. I have seen 20 to 30 people smoking outside Chester station on many occasions and I feel it is a move in the wrong direction. I have a solution for you ATWalex101, get PTS and exit the stations by the rear entrance where there are no people smoking then you can guarantee not inhaling 0.000001 micrograms of dispelled smoke :roll:

 

[455driver]

I pay no attention to passengers smoking out of the canopy at stations. Many try & hide when they see me in uniform but it's so obvious. If they do make eye contact all I say is watch out for the BTP.

I agree, the funniest one I ever saw was the chap that put his hand (with the fag in) in his pocket so I wouldnt be able to see it, I couldnt resist going over for a chat just to pass the time, seeing the smoke slowly rising out of his pocket was funny as hell!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I couldn't agree more.

I am a non-smoker and want to see a more relaxed and common sense approach to smoking.
One example I can think of is a Wetherspoons pub close to where I live that enforces a ban on customers smoking/drinking outside after 9pm. Totally ridiculous! Playground rules!
I think E-cigarettes being banned on stations is a bit OTT too.

Common sense? In this country, yeah good luck with that!

I do agree 100% with your post though!

 

[Flying Snail]

As a member of traincrew I actively want smoking back on platforms. All it does is encourage people to chance it in the loos which is a fire risk and even more unpleasant as desperate people need a fix after a number of hours on trains - many places it's so far to walk there's not even chance to go legally on connections on many journeys. Staff and passengers are united on that issue which is why you still get drivers and guards lighting up in cabs and with the electric cigarette bans incoming I for one I have no interest in enforcing them as there is no legal basis to do so except for the principal of private property.

I'm a non smoker by the way.

I agree completely, the current situation is OTT and encourages people to break the rules. It also creates situations where staff are more likely to face aggression when enforcing the rules.

I would like to see all platforms with open air sections have marked smoking areas, with a sufficient gap from enclosed canopies and clear marking then people who want to can smoke away from others with little or no risk of second hand smoke. It would minimise the illegal smoking in far worse places (train toilets, cabs, large groups huddled outside main entrances) and give staff a reasonable way of enforcing no smoking in enclosed areas.

Oh, and I am also a non-smoker who loathes the stuff. I just don't see the point in antagonising people when there is a reasonable compromise and lets face it a high % of smokers are the sort that are likely to cause aggro. As someone once said to me; Not all smokers are scumbags but all scumbags smoke. Probably not true but not that far off the mark.

Fishguard Harbour Station still allows smoking as it is owned by Stena Line, which might be very useful in the future, as there are plans afoot in the ROI to ban smoking completely. Cue gangs of Irishmen and women lined up on the Platform puffing their fags on their weekly trip from smoke free Ireland!

Total nonsense, there are no plans to ban smoking here. Besides the obvious reasons of it being completely unenforceable (a large land border that no longer has any active controls) it would also cost a fortune in lost excise duty.

I don't wish to passively inhale car exhaust fumes, but bizarrely it's legal for others to force me to do so.

Cars, trains, buses, trucks and industrial sources of pollution are as a result of their primary functions which provide a benefit to society as a whole (ok maybe urban car use is arguable) whereas the only function tobacco smoke serves is to poison the idiots who consume it and those unlucky enough to be near them.

Until the combustion of tobacco is able to provide a safe, comfortable and speedy method of transportation there is no justification in comparing it's health effects against that of motor vehicles.

 

[Hornet]

Total nonsense, there are no plans to ban smoking here. Besides the obvious reasons of it being completely unenforceable (a large land border that no longer has any active controls) it would also cost a fortune in lost excise duty.

Really? Reilly was attempting to make smoking as unacceptable as possible, (proposing banning smoking in cars with children in, followed by banning smoking in the family home with children in), with the view to making smoking as unacceptable as Drink Driving. I well remember in my local pub the outrage when Micheal Martin brought in the total ban on smoking in Pubs, I believe the first European country to do so. That was thought to be unenforceable at the time. There is not much complaining now. 10 years and there will be a total ban on the selling cigarettes in the ROI with legislation in place for a total smoking ban. (First again in Europe).

 

[infobleep]

Have the train operating companies ever tried to put pressure of Stenna to force them to introduce a smoking ban at Fish Guard? If not why not? Surely they would prefer uniform rules across the country.

Interestingly it's not against the law to smoke on a theatre, TV or film set if part of the play, film or programme being recorded, providing you are recording in England. It is however illegal in either Scotland or Wales. I forget which now.

 

[102 fan]

Really? Reilly was attempting to make smoking as unacceptable as possible, (proposing banning smoking in cars with children in, followed by banning smoking in the family home with children in), with the view to making smoking as unacceptable as Drink Driving. I well remember in my local pub the outrage when Micheal Martin brought in the total ban on smoking in Pubs, I believe the first European country to do so. That was thought to be unenforceable at the time. There is not much complaining now. 10 years and there will be a total ban on the selling cigarettes in the ROI with legislation in place for a total smoking ban. (First again in Europe).

BIB - I predict a sudden rise in tobacco sales in the NI border towns!

From my experiences on the platform, I'd rather alcohol was banned rather than smoking.

 

[mirodo]

Interestingly it's not against the law to smoke on a theatre, TV or film set if part of the play, film or programme being recorded, providing you are recording in England. It is however illegal in either Scotland or Wales. I forget which now.

Wales.

Smoking ban is damaging drama production in Wales, BBC warns

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2013/01/smoking-ban-is-damaging-drama-production-in-wales-bbc-warns/

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Have the train operating companies ever tried to put pressure of Stenna to force them to introduce a smoking ban at Fish Guard? If not why not? Surely they would prefer uniform rules across the country.

They may have asked but I doubt it's something they are prepared to go to war over. Fishguard is fairly insignificant in terms of passenger numbers, some of the bigger stations in the country see more people pass through in any given morning peak than Fishguard gets in a year and as a result I'll bet you 95%+ of passengers nationwide are completely unaware of the discrepancy.

 

[Darren R]

They may have asked but I doubt it's something they are prepared to go to war over. Fishguard is fairly insignificant in terms of passenger numbers, some of the bigger stations in the country see more people pass through in any given morning peak than Fishguard gets in a year and as a result I'll bet you 95%+ of passengers nationwide are completely unaware of the discrepancy.

I now have a mental picture of the anomoly becoming well-known and Fishguard station suddenly being beseiged by hordes of smokers eager to be able to smoke legally on a railway station!
Should boost the passenger numbers!

 

[edwin_m]

They may have asked but I doubt it's something they are prepared to go to war over. Fishguard is fairly insignificant in terms of passenger numbers, some of the bigger stations in the country see more people pass through in any given morning peak than Fishguard gets in a year and as a result I'll bet you 95%+ of passengers nationwide are completely unaware of the discrepancy.

I seem to recall the reason for this is that any other place at Fishguard station that might be designated as a smoking area would be a safety hazard. I can't see the TOC putting themselves in a position where they could be accused of compromising Stena's health and safety.

 

[infobleep]

I seem to recall the reason for this is that any other place at Fishguard station that might be designated as a smoking area would be a safety hazard. I can't see the TOC putting themselves in a position where they could be accused of compromising Stena's health and safety.

There is no law that says they have to designate anywhere a smoking area.

As for smokers descending. I think one of them should arrange a flash mob there via twitter and other social media. Could invite the press too.

 

[Toad]

The most bizarre thing about no smoking on railway platforms is the amount of staff on preserved railways who believe they are above the law/rules and carry on regardless ??????

I watched a volunteer/paid member of staff have a fag on the platform, waited till he had finished, then I asked if it was ok to smoke on the platform to be told NO !!!!!!

Large railway in Shropshire/Worcestersire if your wondering !!!

 

[Jonfun]

The most bizarre thing about no smoking on railway platforms is the amount of staff on preserved railways who believe they are above the law/rules and carry on regardless ??????

I watched a volunteer/paid member of staff have a fag on the platform, waited till he had finished, then I asked if it was ok to smoke on the platform to be told NO !!!!!!

Large railway in Shropshire/Worcestersire if your wondering !!!

I'm going to be honest. I've not seen one preserved railway where they ban smoking in open areas of the platform.

Surely if you'd just watched a staff member smoke then there wasn't really any reason to ask if it was allowed.

And equally, if you thought you were hard done by, did you complain to his manager/the railway, or did you just come on here and whinge about it?

 

[Michael.Y]

I think the main problem with smoking on platform is the litter caused by dropped butts.

 

[duffield]

The most bizarre thing about no smoking on railway platforms is the amount of staff on preserved railways who believe they are above the law/rules and carry on regardless ??????

I don't know about individual Heritage railway rules, but there is nothing in the law that requires these railways to ban smoking in non-enclosed areas.

 

[CockneySparrow]

I would say that a 'smoke' should be fine on the end of a station platform away from passengers. I don't know about other people.

Technically the end of a platform will be in open space so fine to smoke, I have given up in recent weeks but still smoke a vapour electronic on the platform even in the built up area and on the train

 

[Aictos]

Doesn't matter as it's a offence to smoke on railway stations within the UK except for Scotland or Fishguard Harbour of course, nothing stopping anyone from having a smoke outside front of station now and yes CockneySparrow this does include the open platforms.

This is the official view from the Government:

Can you smoke on train platforms?

No. The Association of Train Operator Companies (ATOC) and Network Rail has introduced a comprehensive smokefree policy throughout at all 1,900 railway stations in England as well as railway offices - station offices, canteens and workplace areas which are covered by the legislation. Because of this policy, smoking is prohibited on all station concourses, ticket halls, on platforms - covered and uncovered - and footbridges and subways at station premises. Retail and food outlets are also required to be smokefree. However, smoking will still be permitted on most station forecourts and in (uncovered) station car parks. No-smoking signs will indicate which areas are smokefree. If you are in doubt, ask a member of staff.

 

[infobleep]

I wonder which station forecourts ban smoking? Also why didn't they apply this policy to Scotland as well. Would make sense. Or is smoking safer in Scotland?

 

[Hornet]

I wonder which station forecourts ban smoking? Also why didn't they apply this policy to Scotland as well. Would make sense. Or is smoking safer in Scotland?

The Scottish Government has a certain amount of autonomy in legislation. I would expect that this is why the smoking on Station premises by laws differ from England and Wales, (with the Fishguard Harbour exception).

 

[6Gman]

I would say that a 'smoke' should be fine on the end of a station platform away from passengers. I don't know about other people.

Are you trying to kill off the 'spotters?

 

[Antman]

I couldn't agree more.

I am a non-smoker and want to see a more relaxed and common sense approach to smoking.
One example I can think of is a Wetherspoons pub close to where I live that enforces a ban on customers smoking/drinking outside after 9pm. Totally ridiculous! Playground rules!
I think E-cigarettes being banned on stations is a bit OTT too.

I think you will find that many councils ban drinking outside of pubs and the pub have little chioce but to comply. I don't know if I am understanding you correctly but how can a pub ban people from smoking outside, presumably in a public area?

I am a non smoker and I very much agree with the ban in general, and I know smokers who have reduced their levels of smoking and feel much better for it. The only concession I would make is smoking shelters on the end of platforms at major stations where it isn't practical for train crew or passengers who are changing trains to pop outside for a quick fag.

 

[David Goddard]

I'm going to be honest. I've not seen one preserved railway where they ban smoking in open areas of the platform.

Surely if you'd just watched a staff member smoke then there wasn't really any reason to ask if it was allowed.

And equally, if you thought you were hard done by, did you complain to his manager/the railway, or did you just come on here and whinge about it?

Swanage Railway have signs banning smoking at Norden station, yet I have on two occasions seen staff smoking within fifteen metres of the sign.

 

[fowler9]

I personally don't smoke on the platform of my local station even though it is unlikely to affect anyone. There is a special place in hell for people who grumble at you for smoking outside pubs while four lanes of traffic role past.

 

[Darren R]

I wonder which station forecourts ban smoking? ....

At one station (which shall remain nameless! ) I was stood on the forecourt having a smoke, around twenty meters from the doors into the station building. One of the station staff came out and joined me for an intake of nicotine. During the conversation which ensued, he told me that smoking where we were standing was banned and that strictly speaking we should have to move some considerable distance away beyond the car-park, but added cheerfully that everyone ignores the rule because no-one (apart from the station staff!) knows about the ban. There are no signs indicating the ban on smoking in the area, which sort of makes the whole thing rather pointless. If it wasn't for the member of staff telling me, whilst ignoring the rule himself, I would never have known!

 

[bnm]

Is it an offence to smoke on the end of a station platform if there isn't a 'No Smoking' sign in the vicinty?

Health Act 2006 refers only to 'enclosed or substantially enclosed' premises.

Railway Byelaws refer only to smoking not being permitted 'on any part of the railway on or near which there is a notice indicating that smoking is not allowed'.

So, if the end of the platform is neither enclosed or substantially enclosed and there are no 'No Smoking' signs nearby...

What offence is committed (ie, what legislation says I'm breaking the law) If I smoke at the end of an open platform where there is no sign telling me not to?

 

[Jonfun]

Swanage Railway have signs banning smoking at Norden station, yet I have on two occasions seen staff smoking within fifteen metres of the sign.

Fair enough - if it's marked as non smoking, then they should be following their own railway's policy, and hopefully their manager was able to give suitable words of advice. Things like that make the individual staff member, and indeed organisation, look unprofessional.

My personal opinion is that there's really no need to ban smoking on an open platform - perhaps under a canopy there may be some justification, but other than that I don't see an issue. And I don't smoke.

 

[furgus2]

I was at Ormskirk station a couple of weeks ago where I saw the guard of a Merseyrail train light up a cigarette while standing on the platform next to his cab just before departure. This was under the platform canopy not on an open platform.

 

[Antman]

I personally don't smoke on the platform of my local station even though it is unlikely to affect anyone. There is a special place in hell for people who grumble at you for smoking outside pubs while four lanes of traffic role past.

I've never quite seen the connection between cigarette smoke and traffic fumes, surely they are two quite seperate issues?

 

[Cherry_Picker]

It's a classic straw man argument. You move the debate to a point which is easier to attack or defend.

 

[8J]

I was at Ormskirk station a couple of weeks ago where I saw the guard of a Merseyrail train light up a cigarette while standing on the platform next to his cab just before departure. This was under the platform canopy not on an open platform.

Merseyrail allow smoking on their platforms except the underground ones and I think South Parkway also doesn't allow it.