Smoking in public places

Passive smoking

Passive smoking is when you breathe in the smoke from other people’s cigarettes, cigars or pipes. It is a serious health threat.

The NSW Government is responsible for smoke free laws.

No smoking sign on brick wall Smoke free laws

Smoking, e-cigarettes and vaping are banned in all enclosed public areas: 

  • shopping centres, cinemas, libraries, trains and buses.

Smoking, e-cigarettes and vaping are banned in these outdoor public areas:

  • within 10 metres of children’s play equipment in outdoor public places
  • public swimming pools
  • spectator areas at sports grounds (and other recreational areas used for organised sporting events)
  • public transport stops and platforms, including ferry wharves and taxi ranks
  • within 4 metres of a pedestrian access point to a public building
  • commercial outdoor dining areas

Smoking, e-cigarettes and vaping are banned on:

  • trains, buses, light rail, ferries

Vaping and young people

See NSW Health

Who enforces smoking laws?

NSW Health inspectors monitor and enforcing smoking bans. They can issue cautions or on the spot fines of up to $550 to people breaking the law.

Inspectors raise awareness about smoking bans, and work with property and building owners to display smoke-free signage and remove butt bins.

Complaints

To make a complaint about someone smoking in a smoke-free area use NSW Health's online reporting form.

If you prefer to speak with somebody to raise your complaint contact Lismore Public Health Unit on 02 2220 7585.

You will need to provide:

  • the name and address where smoking was seen (or the name and address of the tobacco or e-cigarette retailer)
  • the date and time you saw the incident
  • details of your complaint (what you saw)

To report breaches of tobacco retailing laws call the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412 (translating and interpreting service 13 14 50).

Support to quit smoking

Also see

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