Smoking laws in Queensland
Smoking laws in Queensland aim to improve health by creating a culture that reduces exposure to tobacco and other smoking products and second-hand smoke, supports smokers to quit and discourages people from taking up the habit.
Laws in Queensland ban smoking at places people gather to spend time with family and friends or that are part of every-day living. Tough restrictions also apply to the supply, advertising, display and promotion of smoking products.
Smoking products can include tobacco products, herbal cigarettes, loose smoking blend, personal vaporisers (such as electronic or e-cigarettes, e-cigars, vape pens) and personal vaporiser related products (e-liquids and e-cigarette parts), smoking related products or packages or cartons of these items.
State-wide smoking bans
Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, is banned across Queensland in a number of outdoor public areas, eating and drinking venues and education, healthcare and residential aged care facilities, as well as some communal areas in multi-unit residential premises.
Outdoor smoke-free public areas
No smoking:
- at and within 5 metres of public transport waiting points such as bus stops, taxi ranks, and ferry terminals
- at or within 10 metres of campsites and public facilities at national parks such as:
- picnic tables
- toilet blocks
- barbecues
- visitor information centres
- roofed shelters
- jetties, boat ramps and landing stages
- at or within 10 metres of playing and viewing areas during organised under-18 sporting and recreational events
- within 5 metres of non-residential building entrances
- at outdoor pedestrian malls
- at government precincts around certain state government buildings (including the land around prescribed buildings and adjacent footpaths and nature strips)
- at or within 10 metres of public skate parks and children’s outdoor playground equipment
- at patrolled beaches between the flags
- at public swimming facilities
- at prescribed outdoor swimming areas (e.g. artificial beaches and lagoons)
- at major sports or events facilities
- at or within 5 metres of the entrances and exits of outdoor markets.
Smoking in vehicles
- where children under the age of 16 years are present
- used for business if anyone else is in the vehicle.
Eating or drinking venues
No smoking
- anywhere inside eating and drinking venues such as pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes
- at and within 5 metres of commercial outdoor eating or drinking areas.
From 1 July 2024:
- Smoke-free restrictions at pubs and clubs will be extended.
- Children cannot remain in a smoking area at a liquor licensed venue.
Educational facilities
No smoking
- at public or private schools or within 5 metres beyond their boundaries
- at all school carparks
- at early childhood education and care facilities or within 5 metres beyond their boundaries, including kindergartens, childcare centres, day care providers and after school hours care.
Hospitals, healthcare and residential aged care facilities
No smoking
- at public hospitals and health facilities or private hospitals or within 5 metres beyond their boundaries
- at public or private residential aged care facilities or within 5 metres beyond their boundaries.
Residential premises
No smoking
- in enclosed common areas of multi-unit residential accommodation such as foyers and enclosed stairwells.
Local Government may prohibit smoking
- Local government can ban smoking in outdoor public spaces not covered by state-wide smoking bans.
Laws about selling smoking products
Strict requirements are in place regarding the supply, sale and promotion of smoking and smoking related products in Queensland including, but not limited to:
- no sales of smoking products to children under 18 years of age
- no supply of smoking products to children by their parents or guardians
- illicit tobacco cannot be supplied or stored at retail stores
- smoking products can only be sold at one point of sale at retail stores
- mandatory training of employees who sell smoking products
- smoking products cannot be sold from temporary retail outlets
- bans on the display and requirements for the storage of smoking products at retail stores
- mandatory signage must be displayed at the point of sale and on or near tobacco product vending machines
- requirements for how information about smoking products is provided e.g. price tickets
- no smoking product advertising, competitions, giveaways or entitlements
- invoices for smoking products must be kept for at least 2 years
- tobacco vending machines must be located in bar, casino or gaming machine areas only.
From 1 September 2024:
- Retailers and wholesalers of smoking products must have an approved licence.
- Tobacco vending machines must be in staff-only areas at liquor licensed premises.
- Children must not be employed to supply or handle smoking products.
- Small business with less than 20 staff have until 1 September 2025 to comply with this requirement.
The Retailer factsheet (PDF), and updated Smoking Products Retailers Guide (PDF) include information to help your business understand new and existing smoking products supply requirements. The Retailer factsheet is available in a range of languages, you can view a version of the factsheet in your language.