Health impacts of smoking and vaping
Reducing the harmful impact of smoking and vaping is one of the Victorian Government's highest priorities in its program to improve the health of all Victorians. Every year 4000 Victorians die from smoking-related disease and 77,200 Victorians who had previously never smoked are using e-cigarettes, tripling their risk of smoking uptake.
The Tobacco Act 1987 regulates the sale, advertising and display of tobacco products and the reduction of environmental tobacco smoke. It also regulates e-cigarette products in the same way as tobacco products by prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes in all smoke free areas.
For further information on smoke and vape free areas visit the Victorian Department of Health website - Smoke and vape-free areas.
From 1 July 2024, the sale of e-cigarettes/vapes was banned. Supply is restricted to pharmacies only for the purposes of helping people to quit or manage nicotine dependence. It is illegal for any other business to sell any type of e-cigarette/vape, regardless of nicotine content.
For further information on these Commonwealth laws, please visit: About vaping and e-cigarettes | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
For more information on the Tobacco Licencing Scheme visit: Tobacco Licensing Victoria | vic.gov.au
Promoting a smoke/vape free environment
In 2026, Council adopted the Maroondah Tobacco and E-Cigarette Policy.
The Victorian Public Health Survey 2023 found that 18.5 per cent of Maroondah’s population smokes or vapes - this is the highest percentage in the Eastern Metropolitan Region. Council is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our community through reducing the harmful effects of smoking, second-hand tobacco smoke and e-cigarette aerosols.
The Policy includes the introduction of a new 10-metre smoke and vape-free zone around Council buildings and sporting grounds during events. This new smoke and vape-free zones were supported by nearly 85 per cent of respondents during community consultation in 2026.
This is in addition to the Maroondah Community Local Law that makes Ringwood Town Square and Croydon Town Square smoke free zones. (Note: The definition of “smoke” includes the use of e-cigarettes).
Anyone found smoking or vaping in these areas may face a fine of 2 penalty units (approx $418)
Council officers support an educational approach to all tobacco reforms as well as a number of smoke and vape free initiatives that include community education sessions for sporting clubs promoting smoke and vape free environments.
Report a problem
If you would like to report a problem about smoking or vaping in inappropriate places, or would like to suggest further smoke free public places in Maroondah, please email Maroondah City Council. Please remember to include as many details about the situation as possible.
Other tobacco or e-cigarette related concerns.
Please see: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and making a report | Maroondah City Council
Related links
Further information
For more information contact Maroondah City Council Community Health Services on 1300 88 22 33.