Smoking Ban on High-Speed Trains Aims to Ensure Railway Safety and Civilized Travel

Recently, I learned that starting August 15, railway authorities will further intensify efforts to combat smoking on high-speed trains. Passengers who smoke on high-speed trains will not only face existing penalties but will also need to present their ID at any railway customer service center to sign an agreement before they can purchase high-speed train tickets again. Repeat offenders will be permanently banned from purchasing tickets for high-speed trains (D-series, C-series, G-series).

Although the "Railway Safety Management Regulations" issued on January 1, 2014, clearly stated that smoking is prohibited on high-speed trains, with violators facing fines of 500 to 2000 yuan, cases of smoking leading to emergency speed reduction alarms on high-speed trains have frequently occurred. These seemingly minor incidents seriously threaten the operational safety of high-speed trains. A small, unextinguished cigarette butt could disrupt the normal travel of passengers on board, affect the operation of the entire train line, impact a significant number of travelers, and even potentially trigger a series of tragic events.

However, this new smoking ban proposal gives us hope for a smoke-free environment on high-speed trains. The railway department's introduction of new penalties for smoking on high-speed trains ultimately aims to protect the interests and safety of passengers, demonstrating the railway department's sense of responsibility and safety awareness. I believe that for the implementation of this smoking ban on high-speed trains, relevant law enforcement agencies should intensify their efforts to strictly enforce the law against smoking behaviors on high-speed trains, ensuring that regulations do not become mere empty words, but are effectively implemented to safeguard railway safety. Additionally, promoting the dangers of smoking on high-speed trains through broadcasts, newspapers, Weibo, and news media can make smoking on high-speed trains a public concern, mobilizing the entire society to enhance the effectiveness of the smoking ban.

I believe that with the collective efforts of society, smoking on high-speed trains can be curtailed and improved, gradually achieving the goal of safe and civilized railway travel.

(Author is a commentator for China Railway Network, Ke Jia)