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Tobacco product sale, advertising, display and promotion

Studies show that children overestimate the prevalence of smoking in the community. In part, they overestimate the level of smoking because they are exposed to tobacco product displays at virtually every retail outlet they enter. This reinforces the idea to young people that smoking is common and socially acceptable, and increases the risk of them taking up the habit.

It is also widely recognised that tobacco advertising has a significant influence on the uptake of smoking by young people. More than 80% of smokers take up the habit before the age of 18, then go on to regret it.

In 2002, the Queensland Government introduced restrictions on the advertising, display and promotion of tobacco products at retail outlets. These restrictions have been strengthened.

An overview of the tobacco retailing laws which started on 31 December 2005 follows:

Only one smoking product display per retail outlet, with mandatory signs displayed
Up to one square metre only for smoking product display
For tobacconists, up to three square metres for smoking product display
Additional smoking products must be totally covered
Cigarette carton displays are prohibited
Display panels, tobacco special tickets and smoking products in shopper loyalty programs are prohibited
Unbranded advertising of smoking products (eg "cigarettes sold here") is prohibited
Sale of smoking products to children is prohibited, always ask people you suspect may be under 18 years of age for ID
Staff training about not selling smoking products to children, and being able to show written evidence of this training, is mandatory
Children must not falsely represent their age for the purpose of being sold smoking products.

If you are a retailer of smoking products you must call the Tobacco Hotline 1800 005 998 ( 8am – 6pm, 7 days) and order a Selling Smoking Products information kit, which explains your obligations under the law in detail. There are also a number of signs that you are required, by law, to display, which the Tobacco Hotline can also supply.

For details on this new law go to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998.

This page last updated: July 2006
Review date: October 2006