Council's Public Health Unit is responsible for administering the provisions of the Tobacco Act 1987 and amendments. Environmental Health Officers (EHO's) investigate calls from the public regarding sales to minors and smoking in restricted areas.
Reducing the harmful impact of smoking is one of the Victorian Government's highest priorities in its program to improve the health status of all Victorians. Every year 4 500 Victorians die from smoking-related disease and more than 25 000 Victorians are hospitalised because of smoking-related illness. Smoking costs Victoria in excess of $3.3 billion annually in terms of health care and economic expenses.
The Government's health policy includes commitments to:
- Lower smoking rates in all age groups of the population
- Address high smoking rates among children and adolescents; and
- Protect Victorians from unwanted exposure to tobacco smoke.
There is a Tobacco Enforcement Team from the Department of Human Services who carry out random checks to find out if tobacco outlets are selling to minors (those under 18 years of age). The Enforcement Team will issue Warning Letters, Infringement Notices (minimum of $200) or commence prosecution against tobacco retailers who break the law by selling to minors.
Tobacco Reforms
New tobacco laws came into effect on 1 March 2006 with further reforms taking effect from 1 July 2007.
| Date Reform Takes Effect | Description of Reform |
| 1 March 2006 | Train platforms, tram shelters and bus shelters:
Smoking has been prohibited in all covered areas of train platforms, tram shelters and bus shelters. |
| 1 March 2006 | Underage 'music/dance' events
Smoking has been prohibited at all underage 'music/dance' events including the display of tobacco products and the sale of tobacco products to minors (a person under 18 years of age). |
| 1 March 2006 | Controls on cigarette sales to minors have been strengthened by:
Making the sighting photo identification the only defence for selling tobacco to a minor.
Clearly outlining what a manager/proprietor must do to train their employees/agents not to sell tobacco to a minor.
Restricting the location of cigarette vending machines to immediately next to the bar or |
| 1 March 2006 | 'Buzz marketing' and 'non-branded tobacco advertising'
'Buzz marketing' and 'non-branded tobacco advertising' marketing methods are prohibited.
'Buzz marketing' is the use of colors, images and props to create an environment consistent with a brand's identity or suggestion of previous tobacco advertising. |
| 1 March 2006 | Enclosed workplaces
Smoking is prohibited in most enclosed workplaces. This law applies to workplaces including restaurants, cafes and shopping centres.
An enclosed workplace is required to be smoke-free, regardless of whether the roof or walls are permanent, temporary, open or closed. |
| 1 July 2007 | All enclosed licensed premises now smoke-free.
All enclosed licensed premises must be smoke free. Smoking will also be prohibited in an outdoor dining or drinking area (e.g. a balcony or courtyard) if the area has a roof in place and the total actual area of the wall surfaces exceeds 75% of the total notional wall area. Refer to Outdoor dining or drinking for further information. |
For further information:
Contact the Public Health Unit on: 1300 88 22 33
or
Tobacco Information Line: 1300 136 775
