services

	useful links
	smokefree home
	contact information
	alcohol and other drugs
	legislation and regulation
	penalties
	signage requirements
	advertising campaign
	where can i smoke?
	what if someone smokes in these areas?
	smokefree nt booklet
	tobacco retailers guide
	legislative changes as of 31st May 2003
	frequently asked questions
	quitline referral forms
	lung story

what happens on World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2003?

Licensed premises must provide "equal amenity" for nonsmokers from 31 May 2003.
"Equal amenity" means the nonsmoking areas must be equally attractive and provide the same type of service or 'amenity' as the smoking areas.
A Code to assist implementing equal amenity in licensed premises has been developed. Details of the Code are available from AHA.
Licensed premises includes clubs, pubs, hotels, licensed roadhouses and casinos.
For venues with more than 25 gambling machines (pokies), half of the machines are nonsmoking.
Food service and dining areas within pubs, clubs, hotels, roadhouses and casinos are nonsmoking from 1 January 2003.
Thoroughfares (includes corridors, stairways, foyers and lobbies) and service/amenity areas (such as toilets, shower blocks, changing rooms and waiting areas) are nonsmoking from 1 January 2003.
Dancefloors within licensed premises are also nonsmoking from 1 January 2003.
Entrances and doorways to licensed premises are nonsmoking for 2 metres from the enclosed entrance or doorway from 1 January 2003.

For venues with less than 25 gambling machines, there will be no specific requirement for nonsmoking machines and so the venue's own policy will apply.
Smoking may be permitted in alfresco dining areas such as courtyards, on footpaths or balconies if the area is not enclosed.
The restaurateur may still choose to designate the alfresco area nonsmoking.
For alfresco dining areas that allow smoking and beer gardens, the rule preventing smoking within 2 metres of doorways and entrances does not apply.
The venue's policy may allow patrons to take their meals to a smoking area to be consumed.

Private functions held in any hired venue that is enclosed will be smokefree.
Private functions in enclosed venues where there are people working (eg waitstaff or bar staff) will also be smokefree.

Private functions held outdoors will not be affected by the new laws.
Private functions held on domestic premises or venues that are not hired will not be affected by the laws.

Enclosed workplaces are smokefree from 31 May 2003
The rule covers the entire workplace including staff rooms and work vehicles.
It also includes domestic premises used as a workplace if the public or clients can access the workplace or another employee works there.
Domestic premises used to provide commercial childcare are already nonsmoking from 1 January 2003.
Thoroughfares (includes corridors, stairways, foyers and lobbies) and service/amenity areas (such as toilets, shower blocks, changing rooms and waiting areas) are nonsmoking from 1 January 2003.
Enclosed entrances and doorways to workplaces will be nonsmoking for 2 metres from the enclosed entrance or doorway.
An area of 3 metres around air conditioning inlets will be nonsmoking.

Domestic premises used as workplaces that don't provide commercial childcare, do not have access for clients or the public, and do not have other employees of the business working there are not affected by the new nonsmoking laws.
Large structures with oversized roller doors as walls that are left open during working hours and so are generally unenclosed, may allow smoking.
Staff in licensed premises where smoking is allowed may also be able to smoke in those areas depending on the employer's policy.
Outdoor work areas are not covered by the rule.

For more information and support to Quit click here.

last updated : Thursday, September 20, 2007