Under Victoria's Tobacco Act 1987 (the Tobacco Act), smoking and the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) is prohibited in all enclosed workplaces and certain public spaces where members of the public gather.
This is because there may be exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and the aerosol (vapour) from e-cigarettes.
Smoke-free and vape-free areas are important
Smoke-free and vape-free areas are important as they:
- protect the community from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, and the aerosol from e-cigarettes
- make smoking and vaping in the community less acceptable. The less people see smoking and vaping in public places, the less they will think it is okay, and instead, harmful
- support people who have quit or are trying to quit smoking and vaping.
Areas where smoking and vaping is banned
Under the Tobacco Act smoking and vaping is banned:
- in enclosed workplaces
- in all outdoor dining areas
- in outdoor drinking areas if any part of that area is within 4 metres of an outdoor dining area, unless separated by a wall of at least 2.1 metres high
- at train stations, tram-stop platforms, tram and bus shelters, and on trains, trams and buses
- on the grounds of, and within 4 metres of entrances to, childcare centres, kindergartens, preschools, and primary and secondary schools
- at all under-age music or dance events
- within 4 metres of the entrances to:
- at and within 10 metres of outdoor recreational areas, including:
- playground equipment
- skate parks
- sporting venues during under-age sporting events
- in all outdoor areas situated within the perimeter of a public swimming pool complex
- between the lifesaving flags, and within a 50-metre radius of each flag, at all patrolled beaches.
Updated