The ACT Government is committed to protecting the public from known and potential harms associated with smoking products, including tobacco and electronic cigarettes.
Tobacco smoking is responsible for the death of up to two-thirds of Australian smokers aged 45 years and over and is a primary risk factor for various cancers, respiratory and cardiovascular disease and other illnesses.
Smoking tobacco also harms the people around you. It contains thousands of chemicals that are toxic and cause cancer.
Please contact the Health Protection Service on 02 5124 9700 or email hps@act.gov.au for more information.
The ACT Government also welcomes community feedback on the regulation of tobacco, smoking products and smoke-free issues. Please see the YourSay website for more information.
ACT smoking restrictions
Smoking is banned under ACT law in the following areas:
- all enclosed public places, including shopping centres, cinemas, office buildings, buses, taxis, restaurants, pubs and clubs
- outdoor eating and drinking areas
- underage music and dance functions
- cars when children under the age of 16 years are present
- within 10 metres of play equipment at ACT Government managed play spaces
- public transport stations and within five metres of all public bus, train, light rail and taxi stops
Smoke-free policies also apply at the Canberra Stadium and Manuka Oval, all ACT Government schools, ACT Government buildings and health facilities.
Please see the Smoke-Free Public Places Act 2003 and Smoking in Cars with Children (Prohibition) Act 2011) for more information.
ACT smoking penalties
People who smoke in a smoke-free area may face a fine of $110. Fines of $440 may be issued by authorised officers if a person continues to smoke after being asked to stop.
Please see the Access Canberra website for more information.
