Bill would make Amtrak's no-smoking policy federal law

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) has introduced legislation that would ban smoking on Amtrak trains.

Amtrak has an internal policy that prohibits smoking on trains, but the legislation would make that policy a federal law. Consistent with the railroad's policy, the federal ban would apply to all tobacco use, as well as electronic cigarettes, Carper said in a press release.

"This bill is one of the many ways that Congress can encourage tobacco cessation, protect public health and support passenger rail in America," said Carper, a former Amtrak board member.

Earlier this year, a companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House by Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).