- List of smoking bans in Australia
The following is a list of
smoking ban s inAustralia .The list shows federal, state and local laws. For other smoking bans and restrictions, see the worldwide
list of smoking bans .Federal level
Federal law bans smoking in all Australian Commonwealth government buildings, public transport, airports and international and domestic flights. Further bans are in place but are governed by individual states. Currently all Australian states and territories (bar NT) have banned smoking in enclosed public places, particularly workplaces and restaurants.
Australian states and territories
flag|Australian Capital Territory
In the
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) a smoking ban has applied to all enclosed public places since December 2006. However, if the proportion of the public place that is “open" (open to the outdoors) is greater than 25% of the total surface area of the ceiling or roof (assuming that this is flat) and the walls and windows (whether fixed or able to be opened), then the premises will not be considered ‘substantially enclosed’ and therefore, the smoking prohibition in the Act does not apply. Fact|date=June 2007flag|New South Wales
A total "enclosed space" ban was introduced in
New South Wales on1 July 2007 . In this state, a public place is considered substantially enclosed only if the total area of ceiling and wall surfaces are more than 75% of its total notional ceiling and wall area. Windows and doors may be counted as open space only if they are locked open to the outside for the duration of trading hours. 10% of the total ceiling and wall area must remain open to the elements at all times.Fact|date=June 2007flag|Northern Territory
The
Northern Territory government has announced its long awaited timeframe for banning smoking inside clubs and pubs, saying new restrictions will come into place from the start of 2010.Fact|date=June 2007flag|Queensland
Smoking is prohibited in all pubs, clubs, restaurants and workplaces in
Queensland , as well as in commercial outdoor eating and drinking areas and in outdoor public places (e.g., patrolled beaches, children's playground equipment, major sport stadiums, and within 4 meters of non-residential building entrances). Since 1 July 2006, premises holding a hotel, club or casino liquor licence can designate up to 50% of the outdoor liquor licensed area as a smoking and drinking area. In this area no food or drink can be served, no food can be consumed, no entertainment can be offered and there must be no gaming machines provided. A "buffer", which can be either a 2 metre wide area or a 2.1 metre high screen that is impervious to smoke, must be on the area's perimeter wherever it is adjacent to other parts of the outdoor area usually accessed by patrons. Premises that choose to have such an area must have a smoking management plan for the premises that complies with legislative requirements. For all other liquor licensed premises, and non-liquor licensed premises, from 1 July 2006 there is no smoking at any outdoor eating or drinking place.Fact|date=June 2007flag|South Australia
A total enclosed public place smoking ban was introduced in
South Australia on1 November 2007 . However, under the SA Tobacco Products Regulation Act 1997, a place or area is only "enclosed" if it is fully enclosed or is at least partially covered by a ceiling and has walls such that the total area of the ceiling and wall surfaces exceeds 70 per cent of the total notional ceiling and wall area.flag|Tasmania
Tasmania was the first Australian state to introduce a total indoor smoking ban in January 2006.Fact|date=June 2007 As of1 January 2008 , smoking in cars with passengers under the age of 18 is banned and will incur a $110 on the spot fine. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22990981-2702,00.html Smoking banned in cars in Tasmania | The Australian ] ]flag|Victoria
A total enclosed public place smoking ban was introduced in Victoria on
1 July 2007 . However, smoking is permitted in non enclosed dining or drinking areas if the area has a roof and walls that cover no more than 75% of the total notional wall area (ie if the combined wall and roof space is 25% open to the outdoors). Smoking is also allowed in: balconies; verandas; courtyards; marquees; and footpaths. The sale of tobacco products to people under 18 carries a fine but there is no age to legally possess these products. The Victorian government is looking to change this to make it illegal for under 18s to possess them as well. Fact|date=June 2007flag|Western Australia
Western Australia was the second Australian state to ban smoking in all indoor areas of pubs, bars and clubs from July 2006. Smoking is permitted in alfresco and courtyard areas (outdoor eating areas) and the international room at theBurswood Casino . The Health Minister has regulated to allow footpath drinking without food to accommodate smokers: for government guidelines on breakout areas, visit: [http://www.rgl.wa.gov.au/ResourceFiles/Policies/Guidelines_for_establishing_a_breakout_area.pdf]ee also
*
Smokeasy References
Further reading
* Burnett, Peter (2006) OURhotel Local Government Edition (Official publication of the Australian Hotels Association) http://www.aha.org.au/Documents/AHALGEdition.pdf
* Sprague, Julie-Anne.(2004) "High noon for new smoke law". - in "Business news", 24 June 2004, p.13. Re - WA Laws
* World Bank (1999) "Curbing the epidemic : governments and the economics of tobacco control". Washington, DC: World Bank. ISBN 0821345192External links
* (2002)"Environmental tobacco smoke in Australia [electronic resource] : prepared by VicHealth Centre for Tobacco Control. Canberra: Dept. of Health and Ageing.ISBN 0642503931 (PANDORA electronic collection). [http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/B65183F88BECC499CA256F1900040246/$File/env_ets.pdf]
* [http://www.aha.org.au/smoking.html Australian Hotels Association website]
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