Good Health in Tropical North Queensland

• Home
• Tourists and Visitors
• All Topics
• Food and Drink
• Health
• Swimming
• Weather
• Wildlife
• New Residents
• All Topics
• Food and Drink
• Health
• Swimming
• Weather
• Wildlife
• Tourism Industry
• All Topics
• Disaster Management
• Disease Control
• Guest Health
• Policies & Legal Requirements
• Staff Health
• Topics by Occupation
• Services Directory
• A to K
• L to Z
• Contact us

Smoking Areas and Tobacco Sales

Tobacco is responsible for more deaths than any other drug, and no level of tobacco use is regarded as safe.

Because tobacco smoking is dangerous, there are restrictions on the sale of tobacco. There are also increasing legal restrictions on who can purchase tobacco and where people can smoke.

By law and popular demand the Queensland Government has introduced the nation’s toughest anti-smoking laws. Final changes took effect on 1 July 2006.

The new laws will benefit patrons, staff and smokers trying to quit and will improve the environment for everyone.

Welcome to a cleaner, healthier Queensland.

The aim of these changes is to prevent children’s access to tobacco products, and reduce exposure to passive smoking.

• Key features of new laws
• Smoke-free enclosed places and checklist for implementing them
• Sale of tobacco and other smoking products
• Useful links and legislation links
• Quiz

Key features of new laws

The key features of the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act are:

• no-smoking in most indoor public places (including indoor dining and bingo areas of liquor licensed premises)
• restrictions on smoking in outdoor public areas
• tobacco vending machines must be located in bar or poker machine areas only
• 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

Further information on the tobacco laws can be obtained from the Queensland Health website or by calling the Tobacco Hotline on 1800 005 998, 8:00am-6:00pm, seven days.

top of page

Smoke-free enclosed places

Since 31 May 2002, smoking has been banned in many enclosed places in Queensland; where enclosed place means 'indoors' or an area that is completely or substantially enclosed.

Unless you are exempt, ALL enclosed places will be non-smoking areas.

Exempt places include:

• multi-unit residential accommodation
• premium gaming rooms
• liquor licensed premises (except in dining areas whilst meals are available or being consumed, or gaming tables areas of casinos).

Commitment to the well-being of patrons and staff can be demonstrated by creating and maintaining a smoke-free policy which clearly designates where smoking is permitted.

Checklist for implementation of smoke-free areas

• Has the workplace gathered information about the process of having a smoke-free policy?
• Has the commitment of senior management to the process been ensured?
• Has a smoke-free committee (management, workplace health and safety staff, employees, union representatives) been formed?
• Are all staff informed about the process?
• Has the workplace been assessed (eg. safe places for people to smoke)?
• Has the policy been designed, including a plan for implementing the policy?
• Has the implementation plan been followed?
• Has the implementation been managed?
• Has the policy been reviewed, monitored and modified?
• Has the policy been evaluated?
• Have opportunities been created to reinforce the smoke-free policy?

Sale of tobacco and other smoking products

The following items summarise tobacco retailers legal requirements:

• It is illegal to sell Tobacco or Other Smoking Products to a child (less than 18 years of age).
• Tobacco advertising, such as retail posters and banners are banned.
• Promotional campaigns such as competitions and give-aways are banned.

Displays of packets and cartons of tobacco products are regulated:

• tobacco products can only be located at a point of sale on the seller's side, or above or below where customers are served.
• only one face of a 'product line' may be on display
• only single cartons are visible to customers
• A 'Sales to Children Prohibition' sign and a 'Quit Smoking' sign MUST be displayed at the point of sale.
• Managers MUST provide training to their employees.

top of page

Useful Links

Tobacco Hotline - Tel: 1800 005 998 (9am-6pm, 7 days). For general enquiries, complaints and to get resources.

National Tobacco Campaign
For information about quiting smoking.

Queensland Cancer Fund
For information and advice on having a smoke-free policy in your work-place. Posters, videos, brochures, stickers and other information are available free of charge to support your policy.

Quitline – 13 QUIT (13 7848)
The Quitline is an invaluable telephone service for anyone trying to quit smoking, or wanting information about smoking and tobacco. Trained counsellors are available to provide you with information, counselling, support and resources. This service is anonymous and confidential, and is only the cost of a local call (does not apply to mobile phones). The Quitline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

For resources (information and stickers) about the Tobacco Products Act 1998, phone the Environmental Health Unit, Tropical Population Health Unit Network: Cairns: Ph: 07-4050 3600; Townsville: Ph: 07-4753900; Mackay: Ph: 07-49686611; Mt Isa: Ph: 07-4744 4404.

Quit Victoria
The Quit Victoria web-site has good links to other tobacco-related sites

Quitline
For information and support when quitting smoking.

Legislation links

• Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Act 2004
• Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Regulation (Number 1) 2004
• Tobacco Products (Prevention of Supply to Children) Act 1998
• Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995

top of page

Quick Quiz

1. What is the largest preventable cause of death and disease in Australia?
2. Approximately what percentage of the Australian population smoke?
3. Does passive smoking contribute to lung cancer and disease?
4. Can a worker in a smoky room inhale the equivalent of five cigarettes per day?
5. Does the responsibility for smoking issues in the workplace rest solely with the management?
6. Is it legal to sell cigarettes to a sixteen year old customer?
7. Do unions support smoke-free policies?
8. If a smoke-free policy is in the workplace, are employers less likely to be sued by workers with a passive smoking related illness?
9. What is the biggest single cause of property fires?
10. Do smoke related cleaning costs account for 10% of all cleaning costs?

Answers:

1. Tobacco smoking
2. Less than 25%
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. No, all staff have a responsibility
6. No, eighteen years is the legal age
7. Yes
8. Yes
9. Discarded cigarettes and matches
10. No, about 25%

top of page

Go back to the list of topics:

• topics for tourism industry
• topics for tourists
• topics for new residents

top of page