Sun Tran bans smoking at transit centers

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - No more smoking in any public space at the three City of Tucson transit centers - Ronstadt, Laos, and Tohono Tadai, as of Monday, July 30, according to Sun Tran officials.

There will be designated smoking areas for passengers, visitors and other patrons who want to smoke or vape, according to Sun Tran. These designated areas are intended to prevent smoke from entering areas where smoking is prohibited.

"Encouraging smokers to use the designated areas will allow for a healthier environment at our transit centers and for more people to enjoy riding the bus," said Steve Spade, Sun Tran's General Manager, in a recent news release.

Both state law and local ordinances require that smoking is not permitted within 20 feet of a public entrance, including bus doors. The new designated smoking areas will be located at a reasonable distance that is separate from the non-smoking areas and will have ashtrays and shelter for shade. Smoking is not permitted on public transit vehicles.

At numerous locations at the transit centers, signs will be installed at each facility to mark the smoke-free and designated smoking areas, as well as on bus doors. There will be security officers on hand, monitoring smoking at the transit centers and they also instruct smokers to use the designated areas.

The Arizona Smokers' Helpline (ASHLine) has expert coaches and online services to assist people who wish to quit smoking. All Helpline services are free and available in English and Spanish. Contact the Helpline at 1-800-556-6222.