Published
GenevaNearly 130 fines imposed for smoking bus stops
The prevention period has given way to repression. Since April 2024, 128 smokers have been punished. In Lausanne, the PS proposal is making its way.
In Geneva, smoking is forbidden at bus stops.
drag/20 minThe scene takes place at the Pâquis. Sitting under a bus shelter, a lady smokes. “I was in the area and made him notice,” said an anti-tabac. Genevan. She did not flinch. While it is possible to move away from the shelter a little, so as not to expose the others to the secondary smoke (Editor’s note, the smoke which emerges from the end of a cigarette and that expired by a smoker) and tertiary (note, that which results from the deposits of secondary smoke on the different surfaces of the environment). “
A stone’s throw from there, he meets a municipal police patrol and their requests confirmation that the law prohibits smoking for bus stops. “They replied yes. Knowing that at first the prevention was privileged, I pointed out that the smoker in question could be the first to be amended for this reason. ” The agent retorts: “Ah no, no. For a while now, we have put fines. ”
The fine amounts to 100 francs
On the side of the city of Geneva, it is confirmed: “After a prevention phase, the municipal police fine the offenders since April 2024 under the law on the prohibition in public places (LIF) and its regulations for implementing”, entered into force on June 1, 2023. The electronic cigarette is also concerned. The ban also applies to schools, sports fields or play areas. The painful amounts to 100 francs. In all, since April 2024, 128 fines have been inflicted, mainly in shelters.
Note that the municipalities are responsible for setting up signage to inform the ban. In the city of Geneva, the Department of Security and Sports has set it up in these sports centers. For that near schools and shelters, other departments are competent.
Lausanne could follow Geneva
In Lausanne, the Socialist Party filed in March a postulate in the municipal council, asking the city to prohibit cigarettes from shelters. This is to prevent “children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with respiratory diseases” are exposed to smoke. “It is preferable that a smoking ban is pronounced at bus stops, these places being sometimes confined,” adds the leader of the socialist group, Louis Dana. The said postulate was referred to the committee. This will meet on September 10. If the municipal council decides, the municipality will seize the object. “It will take at least two years before being able to count on a text from the municipality,” said Louis Dana.
