Liquor licensed businesses
Queensland’s new tobacco laws are the most significant anti-smoking reforms in Australia.
Independent research conducted in 2004 (AC Neilsen) showed that 81% of Queenslanders support a ban on smoking indoors in pubs, clubs and casinos, with 51% of smokers in favour of the ban.
Queensland’s new tobacco laws aim to reduce the prevalence of smoking and to minimise people’s exposure to passive smoking. The laws also help support smokers trying to quit and discourage young people from taking up the habit.
From 1 July 2006:
- 100 per cent of the indoor area including 100 per cent of poker machines must be no-smoking; and
- outdoor eating and drinking areas where food or drink is provided as part of a business, must be no-smoking.
Liquor licensed premises that hold a general or club liquor licence can choose to have a Designated Outdoor Smoking Area (DOSA), where only smoking and drinking can occur.
There are a number of additional rules that must be followed if licensees choose to have a DOSA, including having a Smoking Management Plan for the premises.
For details on the laws go to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 and see Page 34, Sections 26W– 26ZC.
As well as introducing 100% smoke-free indoor environments at all liquor licensed premises from 1 July 2006, the Queensland Government is also the only Government in Australia to introduce comprehensive bans on smoking in outdoor areas of liquor licensed premises at this time.
Queensland Health strongly encourages all licensees to support their patrons in adjusting to the new laws.
| On-the-spot fines |
$150 on-the-spot fines will be issued to anyone found smoking inside a liquor-licensed premises, or in outdoor eating or drinking areas of the premises. |
Fact sheets
Information Booklets
- Hotels and Clubs Information Booklet
- Licensed Restaurants and Other Licensed Premises Information Booklet
If your business sells smoking products, refer to the Selling Smoking Products Information Booklet
This page last updated:
June 2006
Review date: September 2006
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