The province of Groningen is taking another step in its efforts to reduce smoking by making the majority of its covered bus stops smoke-free. Stickers and tiles featuring the smoke-free logo will be placed at a total of 136 bus shelters across municipalities in the province, according to RTV Noord.
The smoke-free initiative has already been implemented in the municipalities of Westerkwartier and Westerwolde, with preparations underway in the city of Groningen. The move follows the example of neighboring provinces Friesland and Drenthe, which led to political questions regarding the broader rollout of the smoke-free policy.
A spokesperson for the province of Groningen confirmed that all municipalities in the region were presented with a proposal to establish smoke-free bus stops, and a majority responded positively.
The city of Groningen has been a pioneer in smoke-free zones, having introduced the country’s first in 2019 around the University Medical Center Groningen. National legislation followed in 2020, banning smoking in schoolyards, colleges, and universities across the Netherlands.
The initiative in Drenthe, which began in March 2023, aimed to make bus stops smoke-free within two years. However, progress has been slow due to the involvement of road authorities, who own the bus shelters. A spokesperson for the province of Drenthe stated that many bus stops have yet to implement the new policy, despite efforts to expedite the process in partnership with the public transportation bureau for Groningen and Drenthe.
Jorne Bonte, spokesperson for the Groningen-Drenthe public transport bureau, welcomed the move, calling it a “positive development.” He added that passengers will soon be reminded on buses that the stops are smoke-free.
The project is also supported by the GGD health authority, which has provided funding. Participating municipalities are responsible for supplementing this budget. However, no official timeline has been set for when all Groningen bus stops will become smoke-free.
While Groningen’s smoke-free initiative is a notable step, the province is not a trailblazer in this area. Several European cities have introduced similar bans long ago. Notably, Prague implemented a smoking ban at bus and tram stops in 2010 as part of a broader effort to reduce smoking in public areas across the city. Other cities, including London, Paris, and Stockholm, have also taken measures to limit smoking in public spaces, particularly around public transport hubs. These policies form part of broader public health initiatives aimed at curbing smoking-related illnesses throughout Europe.
