Carper, Norton Amtrak Smoking Ban Bill Passes House, Headed to President’s Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and a former Amtrak Board Member, and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) celebrated the inclusion of their bill to permanently ban smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, on Amtrak in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that the House passed last week. The historic legislation, which includes the largest investment ever in passenger rail, is now headed to President Biden’s desk for signature.

“For years, we’ve known that smoking tobacco is harmful—not only to those who smoke but to their loved ones and others nearby as well. That’s why I introduced legislation with Congresswoman Norton to permanently ban smoking on Amtrak trains,” said Senator Carper. “During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, it’s fitting that the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by the House includes our legislation. Keeping train cars free from smoke is one of many reasons why I look forward to President Biden signing this historic investment in passenger rail into law.”

“While Amtrak deserves our thanks and praise for implementing its own policy banning smoking on trains, my bill with Senator Carper to codify this ban, whose health implications are clear, will ensure the policy cannot be reversed,” Congresswoman Norton said.