Merseyrail bans smoking at every one of its stations including vaping and e-cigarettes

Merseyrail has today announced it will ban smoking at every one of its stations from December 1.

From the start of next month, smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, will be banned from all public areas of the network's stations - with the exception of car parks.

Merseyrail said the move comes off the back of the national Stoptober campaign, and is part of its commitment to cleaner air and the comfort of its passengers across the network.

Staff and Byelaw Enforcement officers will also be "actively requesting" commuters, shoppers and other passengers to stop smoking on platforms and other areas of stations.

New strikes have been called off on the Merseyrail network (Liverpool Echo)

Warnings will be issued to anyone smoking on platforms on December 1, however those that continue may be fined from January 1 2020.

The ban applies to the entire Merseyrail network, which centres around Liverpool city centre and stretches out as far as Chester, West Kirby, Southport, Ormskirk and Hunts Cross.

Andy Heath, Managing Director of Merseyrail, said: “The comfort of passengers on our network is absolutely paramount to us, so I am pleased to announce a smoking ban across all of our stations and platforms.

“Those who wish to smoke will be able to do so in station car parks or off station property, however we want all passengers to be able to use our trains and stations comfortably and without the risks of passive smoking, such as lung cancer, asthma and pneumonia.”