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Smoking is becoming expensive: HSB increases fine to 250 euros from July!
From July 1, 2023, new fines will apply for the smoking ban on the Harz narrow-gauge railways. Smoking on trains and platforms is becoming more expensive.
Smoking is becoming expensive: HSB increases fine to 250 euros from July!
From July 1, 2023, an important innovation for travelers on the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway (HSB) will come into force: the fine for violations of the smoking ban will be increased from 60 euros to a whopping 250 euros. With this, the HSB wants to send a clear signal for fire protection and the safety of its passengers, as news38.de reports.
Why is this smoking ban so important? The Harz is a region that is particularly susceptible to fires. For this reason, HSB invests in state-of-the-art safety systems and ensures that old steam locomotives are regularly inspected. The ban applies to tobacco, e-cigarettes and vapes and extends not only to all trains, but also to all HSB platforms. Travelers will be informed about the regulations through announcements, signs and posters.
Strict controls
The enforcement of the smoking ban is not only carried out by the train attendant staff, but also by additional security guards who are specifically deployed on the Brocken Railway. Frequently, only warnings are issued for violations, but the HSB reports ongoing problems with non-compliance with the ban. A comprehensive awareness of the risk of forest fires should be promoted through education, describes mdr.de.
The Harz narrow-gauge railway interprets the drastic increase in fines as a means of deterrence, because it is not only a means of financial pressure, but also an important step to ensure the safety of all passengers. Unfortunately, violations have been frequent in the past and HSB would like to address this through stricter measures.
Health and safety
The smoking ban is not just a local issue; it is based on legal regulations that prohibit smoking in various public areas. In this context, reference is also made to the legal basis such as the Federal Non-Smoker Protection Act (BnichtrSchG), which focuses on protecting the health of non-smokers. The HSB is no exception and contributes to creating a safe and healthy environment for all travelers, as juraforum.de explains.
Overall, with its new approach, HSB shows that it has a good hand when it comes to focusing on both fire protection and the health of travelers. Travelers should therefore pay particular attention to observing the smoking ban in order to avoid the high penalties.