Is Chicago’s Approach to Reducing Smoking on Trains Too Lenient?

() Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he wants to do something about rampant smoking on commuter trains, but critics aren’t sure his idea to mobilize social workers and other professionals will help snuff out cigarettes on the city’s famous “L.”

The Chicago Transit Authority has taken flak in recent years for the prevalence of smoking on trains. The CTA does not have roving conductors to enforce rules on platforms or in train cars, and riders have long complained that bad behavior, including tobacco and cannabis use, has gotten out of hand.

Johnson seemed to agree, as he signed an executive order earlier this month, saying in a prepared statement, “Our public transit system is for all Chicagoans.”

“We have parents taking their young children to school in the morning and seniors with respiratory issues who are inhaling smoke.”

The first-term mayor directed city agencies, including the departments of Public Health and Family & Support Services, to work with the CTA on strategies. He suggested looking at the idea of using “community violence interrupters” and mental health professionals to offer “on-site counseling” to smokers.

Ald. Bill Conway, whose 34^th Ward includes parts of downtown Chicago, added that Johnson’s anti-smoking plan doesn’t go far enough. Conway had wanted to identify the biggest problem spots in the L system and have police step up enforcement. He told WBEZ he still may introduce an ordinance to that effect.

Johnson says having police write tickets when they catch someone smoking hasn’t worked in the past. Still, he didn’t rule out harsher measures, such as banning people from the CTA for smoking.

“There has to be a deeper level of accountability,” he said.