The Chicago Transit Authority is cracking down on smokers, with a startling number of over 6,300 citations issued in 2023 for those caught lighting up on buses, trains, and in stations. This spike represents the most relentless enforcement since 2019, as the no-smoking policy becomes increasingly stringent.
Despite efforts to stamp out the fumes, with frequent audio announcements and clear red-and-white no-smoking signs, CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. expressed his disdain for the persistent problem, declaring, "Smoking on CTA trains, buses, and stations is not just illegal, it’s thoughtless," which he attributes not only to public health but also to the comfort of the transit ridership. The gritty reality is that the Chicago Police Department, tasked with patrolling the CTA, handed out a hefty 6,385 citations in 2023, compared to the lower numbers in preceding years with 4,024 in 2022, 4,341 in 2021, and 4,530 in 2020 as people continue to flout the rules.
The Red and Blue lines, iconic for their 24/7 service were hotspots for complaints, fielding 438 and 313 gripes, respectively, part of the over 1,000 complaints received by the CTA over the past year. The sheer volume of riders, which averages around 800,000 on a weekday, makes policing every single smoker a Herculean task; yet, transit authorities remain committed to their campaign, encouraging patrons witnessing violations to report incidents to CTA staff or security guards.
While the CTA is battling to freshen the air for its commuters, the challenge is a Sisyphean endeavor, but there is a flicker of hope that with persistent enforcement and community vigilance, Chicago's public transit spaces can transition into more breathable environments. To learn more about CTA's anti-smoking efforts, visit their official announcement here.
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