Groningen Introduces Smoke-Free Bus Shelters Across the Province
136 bus stops across municipalities like Groningen, Westerkwartier, and Westerwolde will become smoke-free, focusing on public health awareness.
The province of Groningen is joining the growing list of regions making bus shelters smoke-free, following similar initiatives in Drenthe, Friesland, and Noord-Brabant. In the coming weeks, 136 bus shelters in municipalities like Groningen, Westerkwartier, and Westerwolde will display signs and stickers indicating smoke-free zones.
The decision to create smoke-free shelters aims to raise awareness about the health impacts of smoking in public spaces, especially for those waiting at bus stops. However, it’s important to note that the smoking ban will not be actively enforced, as the initiative focuses on promoting awareness rather than penalties.
The move aligns with efforts in neighbouring provinces, where many bus stops have already been made smoke-free. The Groningen GGD is also supporting municipalities that wish to participate in the initiative, with the potential for more areas to join in the future.