This is the third episode of our series "Streetsblog Chicago versus smoking on the CTA." It's an attempt to to find holistic solutions (not just additional enforcement) to the frustrating issue of smoking and vaping within 'L' carriages. Check out part one to get a sense of where I'm coming from on this topic. Many of us know that smoking in enclosed spaces is a big problem for those with lung conditions, elderly folks, and young children. And second-hand smoke is harmful and irritating to others as well, and it discourages people from riding public transportation.
I indicated earlier that this initiative would involve "tactical urbanism," aka "guerrilla, urbanism." These can be defined as "a low-cost, temporary change to the built environment, usually in cities, intended to improve local neighborhoods and city gathering places."
I got the idea for doing an underground and/or elevated flier campaign from the recent, widely reported Rider Etiquette campaign by Pittsburgh Regional Transit. It features an ornery-looking dill pickle disobeying the agency's rules of conduct.
I figured the Chicago Transit Authority could also benefit from using an anthropomorphic food item as an anti-mascot. And if there's one thing most Windy City residents can get behind, it's that you shouldn't put ketchup on a Chicago-style hot dog.
(For the record, unlike Barack Obama, I think it's generally fine to put ketchup on a hot dog, if that's your preferred condiment. But to be frank, I wouldn't recommend adding it to an sausage that's already been "dragged through the garden.")
Thus, I created the following PSA. The public is welcome to use this image for any non-commercial, "Up With People"-style purposes.
(OK, let's get this part over with.) Now, I realize that some Streetsblog readers may feel this is my wurst idea ever. Maybe you think that me traveling to just about every Red Line station from Roseland to Rogers Park to tape up these signs is just an example of hotdogging. But hopefully after reviewing the images from my quest, you'll be convinced that this initiative really cuts the mustard. (Feel free to add your own SFW hot dog jokes in the comment section.)
I completed this mission in a few phases. On Friday night, starting around 10 p.m., I covered 95th/Dan Ryan to Cermak-Chinatown (and then got a late-night bite at Chi Cafe, 2160 S. Archer Ave.) Saturday afternoon around 1:45 p.m., I put up a flier at Wilson, rode south to Roosevelt, and then did all the stations north to North/Clybourn. On Sunday afternoon around 12:45 p.m., I caught the train at Argyle and covered everything north to Howard. And then, after a coffee break at The Common Cup, 1501 W. Morse St., near the same-named station, I rode south to Fullerton. Then I finished the last few stops north to Sheridan.
I realize that my posters alone may not persuade all that many folks not to puff around other passengers. But the main goal here is to spark more conversation about what more could be done to create a culture on the CTA where almost everyone avoids smoking inside railcars, as a courtesy to others.
And maybe this stunt will inspire the agency to use additional (ideally funny) tactics to remind riders of the Golden Rule. "More signage and announcements about the smoking policy would be helpful," American Lung Association's Illinois Director of Advocacy Kristina Hamilton recently told me.
To an address an obvious critique of this project that might be raised, yes, I realize it was a little ironic for me to post signs asking people to follow CTA rules, while I didn't have an official permit to do so. I can say that, of the very little feedback I got from other customers while I hung the fliers, all of it was positive.
For example, near the start of my rounds on the Far South Side, there were some K-9 Patrol officers on one of the platforms. I tried to stay out of their line of vision as I taped up the poster while wearing earbuds, but one unexpectedly came up from behind me. "Yo, yo, yo," he said to get my attention. I thought he was going to scold me for violating the CTA's Post No Bills rules. Instead he said, "Thanks for doing that."
Here's a gallery documenting the signs I taped up at (almost) every Red Line station, from south to north. All photos are by yours truly.
It's looks like I somehow missed 69th Station, or else forgot to take a photo!
Whoops, as I typed this up, I realized I skipped Lawrence Station, but that's not far from SBCHQ, so I'll swing by there when I have a chance.
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