Commuters in NSW will be given on the spot fines for smoking as officers look to enforce a new law
November 12, 2013
Commuters in NSW will be subject to a crackdown of smoking at public transport stops and stations as police, health and public transport officials join forces.
NSW Police Transport Command, NSW Health and Transport for NSW have joined together in an initiative aimed at protecting commuters from second-hand cigarette smoke.
Smoking has been banned at all public-transport stops and stations in NSW under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 since January this year.
Smoking was already prohibited on trains, light rail, buses and ferries, as well as in any enclosed area where people catch public transport.
The amended law extended this ban to all outdoor areas, at railway platforms and stations, bus stops, ferry wharves, taxi ranks and light-rail stations.
On the spot fines of $300 apply for anyone who fails to comply with the law.
PTC North/Central Acting Commander Acting Superintendent Kerrie Lewis says they will focus on morning and afternoon peak hour periods.
“Health inspectors will infringe anyone caught smoking in areas where they shouldn’t – such as taxi ranks, bus interchanges, and railway-station entrances – and transports officers will be on the look-out for fare evaders.”