Did you know that tobacco kills more than six million people every year, 600,000 of whom are victims of second-hand smoke? What about the fact that almost half of current smokers will die of a tobacco-related disease? That’s pretty frightening stuff, which is why at UTA, we’re doing our part to keep the air clear for our riders, operators and employees.

Tobacco usage is prohibited on UTA systems under the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act. This includes electronic cigarettes and smokeless products like chewing tobacco. According to state policy, electronic cigarettes are banned under the Clean Air Act because they have not been scientifically evaluated and may emit nicotine and carcinogens into the air.

On May 1, UTA became a tobacco-free workplace, joining more than 2,300 organizations around the state, as well as national companies like AT&T, Coca Cola, General Mills, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Lowe’s, Nordstrom, Target and Union Pacific.

This means that tobacco use is no longer allowed anywhere on UTA property, including UTA parking lots and in vehicles parked at UTA facilities. Riders who wish to use tobacco must first leave UTA property. Salt Lake City also has a law that prohibits smoking within 25 feet of a bus stop.

So, the next time you’re riding FrontRunner, TRAX or a bus, take a deep, smoke-free breath. We’re trying to keep the air as clean as possible, and we appreciate your help.

Statistics on the dangers of smoking courtesy of the World Health Organization.