American Lung Association Applauds Mayor Johnson's Bold Action to Curb Smoking on CTA Trains and Platforms

The American Lung Association strongly applauds Mayor Brandon Johnson for signing an executive order on Tuesday aimed at enforcing existing laws and curbing smoking on Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trains, buses and platforms. The order is another step forward towards protecting the lungs of all Chicagoans, especially those most vulnerable to the dangers of secondhand smoke.

For individuals living with lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or lung cancer, even brief exposure can trigger respiratory distress, hospitalization and in extreme cases death.

Kristina Hamilton, Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Illinois released this statement:

“Clean air is not a privilege; it’s a public health necessity, and Mayor Johnson’s executive order sends a clear message that the City of Chicago prioritizes the health of its residents and transit riders. Smoking on platforms or within enclosed CTA trains and buses potentially exposes thousands of daily commuters - including children, seniors and people with chronic respiratory illness - to harmful secondhand smoke. This order looks to help enforce our existing smokefree laws, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and reinforcing a culture of clean air in our shared public spaces.”