New Victorian rules banning smoking in outdoor dining areas coming into effect

SMOKERS should make the most of their local this weekend. New laws taking effect on Tuesday will make it a whole lot tougher for them to enjoy the beer garden.

VICTORIAN smokers are set to have a tougher time lighting up at the local after new anti-smoking laws come into effect on Tuesday.

New changes made to the Tobacco Act 1987 will see smoking banned in all outdoor dining areas across the state.

The new rules also apply to e-cigarettes and shisha smokers. Picture: Ellen Smith

The restrictions will apply where food is provided commercially, with exceptions made for pre-packaged snacks such as nuts and potato chips.

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From August 1, venues are permitted to set food service times to allow smoking when they are not serving meals.

Designating smoking space must be separated from outdoor dining areas by either a four-metre

buffer zone or a wall at least 2.1m high.

Neighbouring venues are also expected to comply with this new zoning.

The changed laws will also apply to food fairs and street festivals, and include both e-cigarette and shisha smokers, who haven’t escaped scrutiny.

Australian Medical Association president Dr Michael Gannon said he was satisfied with the latest measure in a “step-by-step fight”.

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“We applaud this latest advance which reduces passive smoke for people just trying to enjoy a meal,” he said.

“Tobacco remains the only legal product that results in the premature death of the majority of its users.”

Quit Victoria continues to seek reforms to make all outdoor drinking areas smoke-free.