Summary of tobacco laws
In 2001, significant changes were made to Queensland’s Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 to address the impact of tobacco smoking on the community. This was a first step.
A review of the tobacco laws was carried out in early 2004. Consultation with industry and the public resulted in more than 1,300 submissions.
The Review informed the drafting of new tobacco laws under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Bill 2004 – which was passed by Queensland Parliament on 11 November 2004. The new tobacco laws put in place the toughest and most comprehensive smoking bans in Australia, and will greatly contribute to reducing the public’s exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, support smoker’s trying to quit, and discourage young people from taking up the habit.
The new laws commenced in phases between 1 January 2005 and 1 July 2006 and include:
- no-smoking anywhere inside pubs, clubs, restaurants and workplaces
- no-smoking in commercial outdoor eating or drinking areas
- no-smoking in outdoor public places such as patrolled beaches, children’s playground equipment, major sport stadiums and within 4 metres of non-residential building entrances
- no sales of tobacco products to children under 18 years of age
- mandatory training of employees who sell tobacco
- mandatory no-smoking and quit smoking signs
- restrictions on how tobacco products can be displayed at retail outlets
- no tobacco advertising or competitions
- tobacco vending machines must be located in bar or poker machine areas only.
If you are a tobacco retailer or liquor licensee, information kits about all the tobacco laws that apply to you are available free-of-charge from the Tobacco Hotline 1800 005 998.
This page last updated:
June 2006
Review date: September 2006
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