Tobacco Controls

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Hindmarsh has a number of registered retailers, outdoor smoking areas and smoke-free dining areas. The control of tobacco and related products is under the Tobacco Act 1987 (Vic) and is controlled and enforced by Council.

Council's Environmental Health Officers regularly conduct visits to tobacco retailers to ensure they are aware of and comply with regulations on the sale of tobacco including:

  • The display of health warning signs;
  • That tobacco products must be covered and not be visible to the public from inside or outside the retail premises;
  • The display of the "We don't sell tobacco to u/18s" sign;
  • Point of sale display restrictions and prohibited advertising and signage;
  • The training of retailers and staff on laws regarding tobacco sales and requirements to sight acceptable ID to prevent sales to minors.

If you observe a breach of the Tobacco Act laws above, you can make a report to Council to investigate. You will be required to provide:

  • Name of premises (if known)
  • Address of premises
  • Description of your concerns, including date and time of occurrence.

Please make a report on Council's website here.

Smoke-free and Vape-free areas

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. 

Under the Tobacco Act, smoking and vaping is banned:

For further information on smoking and vaping bans in public and outdoor spaces, please refer to the Department of Health's Smoke-free and vape-free areas page.

If you witness breaches of the smoke free and vape free areas, please make a report to Council here.

E-cigarettes/Vapes

From 1 July 2024, the sale of e-cigarettes/vapes was banned and supply restricted to through 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 the Department of Health, Disability and Aging website.

If you observe the sale of e-cigarettes/vapes, or suspect a retailer (that is not a pharmacy) to be selling e-cigarette/vape products, you can lodge a complaint to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

New Victoria Tobacco Licensing Scheme

Tobacco Licensing Victoria (TLV) is responsible for the regulation of the lawful supply of tobacco products in Victoria.

TLV are responsible for the licensing business that supply tobacco products and to investigate and enforce the licensing scheme (from 1 February 2026).

For further information about Tobacco Licensing Victoria, such as applying a tobacco licence, managing your tobacco licence and staying compliant with your tobacco licence, visit www.vic.gov.au/tobacco-licensing/.

Quitting smoking or vaping

If you are thinking about quitting smoking or vaping, needing help to stay on track, or to help others with quitting, you can find more resources at Quitline or call them on 13 78 48.

  • Quitting smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health.
  • Withdrawal can be challenging, but it can help if you look at the symptoms as signs that your body is recovering.
  • Common symptoms include cravings, restlessness, trouble concentrating or sleeping, irritability, anxiety, increases in appetite and weight gain.
  • Many people find withdrawal symptoms disappear completely after two to four weeks.
  • Changing your routine can help avoid those triggers that tell your brain it's time for a smoke.
  • Stop smoking medications can help you quit smoking.

Quitting is one of the best things you will ever do for your health. It can affect your life in ways you may not even imagine.

Benefits to your health and life from quitting smoking include:

  • Your sense of taste and smell may improve, so you may enjoy your food more.
  • Exercising to increase your fitness will become easier.
  • You will be free from the hassles of smoking, such as smelling of smoke, or always having to make sure you have enough cigarettes.
  • Your fertility levels will improve (in both men and women), and if you’re a woman, your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby will also increase.
  • You will save thousands of dollars a year that you can save or spend on other things.
  • Your family and friends will also benefit because:
  • You won’t put their health at risk with second-hand smoke any more
  • Your children will be less at risk from bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, meningitis and ear infections.

For more information visit:

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