Building entrances
Indoor smoking bans result in smokers moving outside to smoke. The number of people who congregate immediately outside the entrances of buildings can be significant.
Smoke drift can occur from these outdoor areas to indoor areas, and people entering and exiting from public buildings through these areas continue to be exposed to tobacco smoke.
Since 1 January 2005 it is illegal to smoke anywhere within 4 metres of an entrance to a non-residential enclosed place.
This rule applies to the building entrances of places like offices, banks, non-licensed food premises, BYO restaurants, snack bars and cinemas.
The rule does not apply to:
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residential premises (ie. entrances to homes and multi-unit residential accommodation)
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liquor licensed premises with a commercial hotel, community club or special facility licence
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smokers walking or driving past an entrance
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entrances that are closed for general access to the building
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the following pedestrian shopping malls:
Brisbane
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Queen St, between Edward St and George St
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Albert St, between Burnett Lane and Elizabeth St
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Duncan St, Fortitude Valley, between Wickham St and Ann St
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Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, between Wickham St and Ann St
Ipswich
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Nicholas St, between Limestone St and Brisbane St
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Nicholas St, between Brisbane St and the north end of Nicholas St
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Union St
Gold Coast
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Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise, between the Esplanade and Orchid Ave
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Victoria Ave, Broadbeach, between Old Burleigh Road and the vehicular access point to the underground car parking area
Toowoomba
Townsville
Cairns
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Lake St, between the vehicular turnaround points
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Shields St, between the vehicular turnaround points
Although penalties are to the smoker, building owners and occupiers should follow ensure entrances to their buildings are smoke-free for the comfort and health of all their patrons.
For details on this law go to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 .
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