"Lifetime Ban for Smoking on High-Speed Trains" Is a Rumor

Legal Daily, Beijing, September 29 — Reporter Liang Shibin. Some media reports claimed that under the latest regulations of China Railway Corporation, passengers who smoke on high-speed trains would be restricted from purchasing high-speed train tickets, and repeat offenders would be permanently banned from riding such trains. Some internet users questioned this claim. In response, a reporter from Legal Daily learned from China Railway Corporation that no such rule has been issued.

According to a Xinhua report, a passenger recently smoked secretly on a high-speed train traveling at high speed, causing an unexpected stop. Under Articles 77 and 95 of the Railway Safety Management Regulations, the passenger was handed over to the railway police station and given penalties including a public security fine.

The report stated that, under the latest rules of China Railway Corporation, passengers who are legally punished by public security authorities for smoking on EMU trains would be placed on a "blacklist" and restricted from purchasing EMU tickets for all routes nationwide, unless they personally bring their ID card to a nearby railway customer service center and sign a letter of commitment promising not to reoffend. If caught again, they would be permanently banned from riding EMU trains.

Regarding this matter, a reporter from Legal Daily specifically visited China Railway Corporation for clarification. According to a relevant official, smoking on EMU trains is strictly prohibited. However, as for the statement that offenders "will be placed on a 'blacklist' and restricted from purchasing EMU tickets for all routes nationwide, and if caught again will be permanently banned from riding EMU trains," the corporation has not issued such a rule at present.

The railway authorities emphasized that the National Day Golden Week travel rush is approaching, and a large number of passengers will be traveling by high-speed train. Smoking is prohibited throughout the entire journey and in all areas of EMU trains. Once smoking occurs, it may at minimum cause the train to slow down, and at worst endanger operational safety. Passengers are urged to strictly comply with the Railway Safety Management Regulations and travel safely.