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                    Smoking and tobacco

                    The City of Melbourne is committed to reducing the harmful effects of smoking and passive smoking through a number of tobacco prevention and smoke-free initiatives.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Smoking is a major cause of preventable death in Victoria and a leading cause of avoidable chronic illness and hospitalisation from conditions including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Each year approximately 4000 Victorians die due to smoking. Not only that, the costs for direct healthcare and lost productivity equate to over two billion dollars.

                    The City of Melbourne is committed to protecting the community from passive smoking by expanding smoke-free areas. We are proud to be creating healthy environments for people to live, learn, work and play.

                    On this page:

                    Towards smoke-free Melbourne 2025
                    Have your say on our vision to make Melbourne a smoke-free city by 2025.

                    Smoke-free areas

                    All levels of government have a responsibility to protect, promote and improve health and wellbeing.

                    The Tobacco Act 1987 (the Tobacco Act) is a key piece of state government legislation that regulates tobacco products and smoking offences. Smoking in public places and the sale of tobacco are strictly controlled. 

                    In addition to the Victorian tobacco laws, the City of Melbourne has the authority to prohibit the smoking of tobacco in prescribed smoke-free areas under the Activities Local Law 2019 (Local Law). 

                    It is an offence to smoke in a designated smoke-free area. From 6 August 2020, this includes e-cigarettes. Non-compliance may result in fines or prosecution.

                    Where are the smoke-free areas?

                    The City of Melbourne has created 12 smoke-free areas under the Activities Local Law 2019. These are:

                    • Bourke Street (between Elizabeth Street and Russell Place, including Bourke Street Mall)
                    • Goldsbrough Lane (off Bourke Street between William and King streets)
                    • QV Melbourne (corner of Lonsdale and Swanston streets)
                    • The Causeway (off Bourke Street between Swanston and Elizabeth streets)
                    • Howey Place (off Little Collins Street between Swanston and Elizabeth streets)
                    • Equitable Place (runs between Collins and Little Collins streets between Elizabeth and Queen streets)
                    • Block Place (runs between Collins and Little Collins streets between Swanston and Elizabeth streets)
                    • The Tan running track
                    • Princes park running track
                    • Collins Way (off Little Collins Street between Elizabeth and Queen streets)
                    • Fulham Place (off Flinders Lane between Elizabeth and Queen streets)
                    • Market Street Park, between Collins Street and Flinders Lane.

                    View a map of the smoke-free areas.

                    Smoking is also banned in a number of areas under the Victorian Tobacco Act 1987, including: 
                    • outdoor areas at hospitality and food venues during the times food is available 
                    • food fairs, organised outdoor events including community or street festivals
                    • entrances to indoor children’s play centres, public hospitals and registered community health centres
                    • entrances to public buildings including courts, police stations, public hospitals and certain Victorian Government buildings
                    • the grounds of, and entrances to, childcare centres, kindergartens, preschools and primary and secondary schools 
                    • outdoor recreational areas, including playground equipment, skate parks and sporting venues during under-age sporting events 
                    • outdoor areas of public swimming pools 
                    • patrolled beaches 
                    • enclosed workplaces 
                    • train stations, tram stop platforms and tram and bus shelters 
                    • under-age music or dance events.
                    For more information about legislation and regulations, visit Department of Health and Human Services.

                    How are smoke-free areas created?

                    In each case that the City of Melbourne has created a smoke-free area, the decision came after extensive face-to-face and online engagement with businesses, residents and people visiting the areas to shop and dine. Council carefully considers all feedback and submissions before prescribing an area smoke-free. This is done at a Future Melbourne Committee meeting. Read more about council and committee meetings and reports.

                    To find out more and see updates on current projects, visit Participate Melbourne.

                    Benefits of smoke-free areas

                    Smoke-free areas support the community by:
                    • protecting the community from passive smoking
                    • reducing the uptake of smoking behaviour in children and young people by modelling non-smoking behaviour
                    • providing a supportive environment for people who are trying to quit smoking or have recently quit smoking.

                    Map of the smoke-free areas

                    View larger map

                    Report an issue

                    If you encounter anyone smoking in a designated smoke-free area, you can report it to us below.
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