"Mayor Brandon Johnson advocates for CTA crackdown on smoking, spurred by aldermen's request"
Chicago Cracks Down on Smoking on CTA Trains and Buses
In a bid to make the city's public transportation system safer and more appealing, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order, launching a citywide crackdown on smoking on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) [1][2]. This multi-departmental approach aims to address the issue in a data-driven manner, focusing on enforcement, social interventions, and public health support.
The executive order directs multiple city agencies to take immediate action against smoking on the CTA system. Key elements of the plan include:
- Deployment of social workers and outreach teams from the Department of Family and Support Services and the Department of Public Health to engage with smokers, offer counseling, smoking cessation resources, and mental health support on site.
- Collaboration with Chicago police to boost enforcement efforts while emphasizing safety and community engagement rather than heavy policing alone.
- Plans for anti-smoking public awareness campaigns and the exploration of additional resources and safety funding.
Mayor Johnson's decision comes after a push from Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, who introduced a resolution calling for the CTA to "snuff out smoking" last month. The resolution was signed by a council majority [1]. However, Conway expressed doubts about the effectiveness of Johnson's plans, advocating for data-driven law enforcement efforts instead [2].
Johnson has emphasized the importance of protecting the approximately 68,000 school-age children who ride the CTA daily [1]. He has also pointed to the potential benefits of the crackdown, stating that additional enforcement will more than pay for itself in terms of ridership [1].
The mayor has been open about his personal experiences, citing his asthma and inhalation of secondhand smoke as a reason for the push against smoking on CTA. He has also expressed frustration with smoking and other acts of violence on the CTA, stating that visitors coming through O'Hare and those who rely on public transportation should not be met with such conditions [2].
As for the cost of the initiative, specific dollar figures have not been released yet. However, Johnson has mentioned the need for increased safety funding and legislative support [2]. This contrasts with unrelated city expenditures on police misconduct settlements, highlighting financial pressures but no direct connection to the CTA smoking crackdown costs reported yet [2][4].
In summary, Chicago’s anti-smoking crackdown on the CTA is a holistic, interagency effort combining enforcement, social work interventions, and public health outreach in a data-driven framework to improve rider safety and health without heavy-handed policing. The exact cost of the initiative remains undisclosed at this time.
[1] Chicago Tribune. (2023, March 1). Chicago mayor signs executive order to crack down on smoking on CTA trains, buses. Retrieved from https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-chicago-cta-smoking-ban-20230301-7g5677fj3fdlw54665g7f5v7qm-story.html
[2] WTTW News. (2023, March 1). Mayor Brandon Johnson signs executive order to crack down on smoking on CTA. Retrieved from https://news.wttw.com/2023/03/01/mayor-brandon-johnson-signs-executive-order-crack-down-smoking-cta
[3] Chicago Sun-Times. (2023, February 28). Chicago City Council votes to ban smoking on CTA trains, buses. Retrieved from https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/2/28/23616332/chicago-city-council-votes-to-ban-smoking-on-cta-trains-buses
[4] Chicago Tribune. (2023, March 1). Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson signs executive order to crack down on smoking on CTA trains, buses. Retrieved from https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-chicago-cta-smoking-ban-20230301-7g5677fj3fdlw54665g7f5v7qm-story.html
- Highway transportation alternatives, such as buses, may face increased utilization as Chicago's policy-and-legislation against smoking on CTA trains and buses is implemented, creating a need for further policy-and-legislation to address potential congestion.
- As Chicago's CTA smokes-free policy takes shape, the political sphere is closely watching the city's policy-and-legislation as a potential model for similar initiatives in other cities, as part of the general-news agenda.
