Trains

Smokers chased from public transport services
swissinfo (Swiss Radio International)
June 29, 2005

"No smoking" signs are set to become common in Swiss stations (Keystone)

Smoking will be banned in Switzerland's trains, buses, and boat services as well as inside transport company buildings from December.

The Public Transport Union (PTU), whose members include the Swiss Federal Railways, said protecting passengers against passive smoking was more important than individual freedoms.

GNER bans smoking on its intercity trains
Evening Times
June 15, 2005

GNER is to ban smoking on all its trains from the summer. The firm, which operates the service from Glasgow to London along the east coast, claims the move is in response to passenger wishes.

French TGV Trains Become Smoke-Free Zones December 1
Market Wire, 2004-12-03

Starting this month, smoking is no longer allowed anywhere on France's Trains à Grande Vitesse (TGVs), not even in the bar car.

While there have always been non-smoking carriages on trains throughout Europe, the smoke-free train concept has been gradually introduced in the past few years on other high-speed, so-called "Premier Trains" such as Eurostar (London-Paris/Brussels), Thalys (links France-Belgium-Netherlands-Germany), Elipsos overnight trains (Spain-Italy-Switzerland), and Eurostar Italia (no relation to Eurostar Chunnel service). Some TGV lines within France have also been non-smoking for some time.

"It may surprise some North Americans that in a country where smoking seems so pervasive the best trains are now smoke-free zones," notes Fabrice Morel, President of Rail Europe. "But it's all about competing with the airlines and making trains as attractive a transportation option as possible."