Tobacco

• Tobacco Retailers
• Sales to minors program
• Smoke Free Dining
• Smoking in Gaming and Licensed Venues
• Smoking in Shopping Centres
• Licensed Premises with Outdoor Dining and Drinking areas
• Useful Links

Over the past couple of years a number of new laws controlling tobacco have been passed in Victoria. As a result residents can now enjoy a smoke-free environment whilst eating out, tobacco advertisements and promotions have been limited, shopping centres are now smoke free and smoking in gaming venues and licensed premises will also be restricted.

Council is responsible for ensuring that all premises comply with the new laws.

Tobacco Retailers

The new laws limit the size and number of tobacco displays and eliminates tobacco advertisements in retail outlets. Tobacco retailers must also display appropriate signage, and ensure tobacco is not sold to those under 18 years of age.

A guide for retailers titled "Tobacco Retailer Guide" has been developed. It is available at:  www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms/retailers.htm

Sales to minors program

Council, as part of a statewide program, aims to control the sale of tobacco to minors (persons under 18 years of age) by educating businesses about the sale of tobacco.

Minors are employed to carry out 'test purchasing' of cigarettes from businesses. If a business sells tobacco to the minor an 'educational visit' is made to that premises. Tobacco Officers inform the business of the sale that has taken place, their obligation to comply with the Tobacco Laws and how they can comply. Subsequent sales of tobacco to minors are referred to the Tobacco Enforcement Team at the Department of Human Services for further investigation.

If you know of a business that sells tobacco to minors and you wish to report them you can contact the Health Services Team for investigation.

Smoke Free Dining

The 'Smoke Free Dining' laws mean that all restaurants, cafes, and dining areas in hotels and clubs are designated smoke free. The ban does not apply to outdoor eating areas such as footpaths or courtyards that are not enclosed.

Council Officers inspect and conduct educational visits of eating establishments to ensure compliance. Businesses must also display appropriate "No Smoking" signage.

Smoking in Gaming and Licensed Venues

New laws are now in place to control smoking in gaming and licensed venues across Victoria.

Council officers are responsible for enforcing these laws within the municipality and will carry out checks of all gaming and licensed venues within the municipal district to ensure all businesses are complying.

If you require further information about the reforms and how they apply to you, please contact the Tobacco Information line 1300 136 775.

 If you have any complaints or questions regarding smoking in gaming and licensed venues contact Council's Health Services Team.

Smoking in Shopping Centres

It is now a legal requirement for shopping centres throughout Victoria to be smoke free and Council has conducted educational visits of all its shopping centres to ensure compliance. If you have any concerns about people smoking in shopping centres contact Centre Management or alternatively Council's Health Services Unit.

Licensed Premises with Outdoor Dining and Drinking Areas

From 1st July 2007 all enclosed licensed premises (clubs and hotels) must be smoke free. Smoking will also be prohibited in all outdoor dining or drinking areas (eg. balcony or courtyard) if the area has a roof in place and the total actual area of wall surfaces exceeds 75% of the total notional wall area.

Operators of enclosed licensed premises are responsible to ensure "No Smoking" signs are displayed and shall take appropriate steps to ensure patrons do not smoke within their premises so as to avoid penalties and/or prosecution for non-compliance.

Latrobe City Council Environmental Health Officers have been given the responsibility of enforcing the new smoking laws pursuant to the provisions of the Tobacco Act. All complaints from the public regarding smoking in licensed premises should be referred to Council's Health office. Proprietors are required to display appropriate "No Smoking" signs in all enclosed areas and remove all ashtrays, matches, lighters or other assistance to facilitate smoking and should a person smoke, the proprietor is to ask the person to stop smoking, inform the person it is an offence to smoke in the premises and to ask the person to temporarily leave if they wish to smoke.

It is the proprietors responsibility to ensure appropriate numbers of receptacles are available for smokers to deposit their cigarette butts outside food and licensed venues.

If you require further clarification about this new law visit  www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms/downloads/clarification_outdoor.pdf 

Useful Links

• Tobacco Reforms www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms  
• Quit www.quit.org.au/index2.html