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 Health website.
Selling smoking products
Smoking product are defined as:
- tobacco products
- herbal products
- personal vaporisers
- personal vaporiser products
It’s an offence to sell smoking or tobacco products without a licence.
Prohibited smoking products
Some tobacco products are banned in the ACT.
View the Tobacco (Prohibited Smoking Products) Declaration 2011 (No 1) for a list of banned 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.
View Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Fees) Determination 2023 (No 1) for the 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.
Displaying your 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 tobacconists’ licence you must display it at, or very close to, each point of sale on your premises.
Renew your licence
- Use the Application for Tobacco Licence form and select ‘Renew’.
- Pay the fee.
Designated outdoor smoking areas
Smoking is banned in enclosed public places and in public outdoor eating and drinking areas under the Smoke-Free Public Place Act 2003 (the Smoke-Free Act).
Some pubs, bars and licensed have a designated outdoor smoking area (DOSA). Customers can drink and smoke in the DOSA but can’t be served food or drinks.
Creating a DOSA
If you want to create a DOSA on your business premises, you need to make sure you adhere to the requirements and obligations in the Smoke-Free Act.
You will need to prepare and keep up to date a smoking management plan that complies with Smoke Free Act - Smoking Management Plan (PDF 44KB) (DOCX 28KB).
View the Quick guide on Designated Outdoor Smoking Areas (PDF 209KB) (DOCX 44KB).
Notify Access Canberra
If you intend to provide a DOSA on your premises, you need to notify Access Canberra within 14 days.
- Complete the Notification of a designated outdoor smoking area form (PDF 142KB) (DOC 108KB).
- Submit it:
- by email to ACLiquor@act.gov.au
- in person at an Access Canberra Service Centre
- by post to Access Canberra, Liquor and Gaming Team, GPO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601.