Right to ban smokers from high-speed trains

A passenger smokes before a high-speed train leaves the station in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Feb 25, 2014. [Photo/IC]

ANY PASSENGER twice caught violating the smoking ban on high-speed trains will be forbidden from purchasing tickets, according to a new regulation introduced by China Railway Corp that came into effect on Monday. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Wednesday:

Those caught smoking on a high-speed train will be fined and won't be allowed to buy high-speed train tickets again unless they sign an agreement promising not to smoke on trains.

Although smoking on high-speed trains has been listed as a dangerous behavior since 2014, some stubborn smokers still turn a blind eye to the ban, even though they may face a fine up to 2,000 yuan ($300).

Of course, the railway authorities at all levels have the right to punish those who smoke on high-speed trains as the smokers are knowingly violating the smoking ban.

Such punishments do not overstep the legal boundaries, because smoking passengers can pose a danger to the health of others on board, and more importantly, the security of the train. Simply issuing a fine or two is unlikely to wake them up to why smoking is prohibited on a fast-moving bullet train.

Many heavy smokers are yet to realize their behavior is selfish and can lead to notable security risks at the cost of other passengers' interests. Forbidding those who commit a second violation of the smoking ban from buying tickets, therefore, is a step that has to be made to make sure all passengers arrive at their destination safe and sound.

In other words, imposing harsh punishments on stubborn smokers is the most effective way to curb smoking on high-speed trains. Anti-smoking campaigns should be promoted to raise awareness of the regulation.