MTS in conjunction with the American Lung Association teamed up on World Tobacco Free Day to announce the new ordinance at MTS to create smoke free zones at all of MTS’ trolley stations and bus stops.  Smoking is now prohibited within 25 feet of any MTS transit center or bus stop throughout the MTS service territory in the cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Poway, San Diego and Santee as well as unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

“The health of San Diegans depends a lot on the air we breathe,” says Janie Davis CEO of the San Diego and Imperial Valley American Lung Association. “MTS has taken a major step to promote the health of thousands of daily commuters.”

MTS has become the first transit system in the state to enact a no smoking policy. To give all smokers an opportunity to understand the new ordinance, the smoking policy will be phased in by transit officers at all MTS transits properties and bus stops throughout the month of June according to the following schedule:

June 1 -- 15 : Verbal Warning given to those seen smoking

June 16 -- 30: Written Warning given to those seen smoking

July 1: Citations given to those seen smoking

The new MTS ordinance was passed unanimously by the MTS Board of Directors.  Its goal is to improve the environment in and around transit stations and bus stops for the more than 250,000 riders who depend on MTS Bus and Trolley every day.

              MTS appreciates everyone’s understanding and compliance with this new ordinance.

For further you can download the rider alert here or visit www.lungsandiego.org