Tobacco licences and smoking areas
Access Canberra is responsible for tobacco licensing and compliance in the ACT under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1927 and the Smoke-Free Public Place Act 2003.
Read about smoke-free environments on the ACT Government website.
Sell smoking products
Smoking products include:
- tobacco products
- herbal products
- personal vaporisers or personal vaporiser products
- vaping goods other than therapeutic vaping goods.
It’s an offence to sell smoking or tobacco products without a licence.
Prohibited smoking products
Some tobacco products are banned in the ACT, including:
- vaping goods that are not therapeutic vaping goods
- tobacco products where the product, or smoke of the product, has a distinctive fruity, sweet or confectionary-like character
- tobacco products, or their packaging, that may be attractive to children.
See section 3D of the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1927 for information about prohibited products.
Apply for a tobacco licence
There are 2 types of tobacco licence:
- a wholesale tobacco merchant’s licence
- a retail tobacconist’s licence.
To apply for a tobacco licence:
- Complete the Application for Tobacco Licence form.
- Upload 2 proof of identity documents such as your driver licence and Medicare card.
- Pay the fee.
See the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Fees) Determination 2025 (No 2) for current fees.
Access Canberra will contact you if we need any further information.
Once your licence is approved, Access Canberra will add your details to the Tobacco Licence register.
Display your tobacco licence
If you have a wholesale tobacco merchant’s licence, you must display it in a prominent place at each of your premises.
If you have a retail tobacconist's licence you must display it at, or very close to, each point of sale on your premises.
Renew your tobacco licence
- Use the Application for Tobacco Licence form and select ‘Renew’.
- Pay the fee.
Manage designated outdoor smoking areas
Smoking is banned in enclosed public places and in public outdoor eating and drinking areas under the Smoke-Free Public Places Act 2003 (the Smoke-Free Act).
Some licensed venues such as clubs, pubs and bars can have a designated outdoor smoking area (DOSA). Customers can drink and smoke in the DOSA, but staff must not serve food or drinks in the area.
Creating a designated outdoor smoking area
If you want to establish a designated outdoor smoking area (DOSA) at your licensed venue, you must comply with the requirements and obligations in the Smoke-Free Act.
You must prepare and keep an up-to-date smoking management plan that complies with the Smoke-Free Act - Smoking Management Plan (PDF 44KB) (DOCX 28KB).
See the Quick guide on Designated Outdoor Smoking Areas (PDF 209KB) (DOCX 44KB).
Notify Access Canberra
You must notify Access Canberra within 14 days of establishing a designated outdoor smoking area on your premises.
- Complete the Notification of a designated outdoor smoking area form (PDF 212KB) (DOCX 88KB).
- Submit it:
- by lodging online
- in person at an Access Canberra Service Centre
- by post to Access Canberra, Liquor and Gaming Team, GPO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601.
Report illegal or prohibited smoking products
Report illegal tobacco and smoking product sales via the Reporting illegal tobacco sales form.
Access Canberra works with partner agencies to respond to reports of illegal tobacco and vaping products in the ACT including the Health and Community Services Directorate, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the Australian Border Force, ACT Policing and the Australian Federal Police.