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SmokeFree NT

Tobacco control legislation reforms

SmokeFree NT refers to the laws that prohibit smoking in public places. Many places became smokefree on 1 January 2003, others became smokefree or partially nonsmoking, on 31 May 2003, World No Tobacco Day.

The Northern Territory Government is now introducing a new range of reforms that will take effect in 2010 and 2011, that aim at producing significant health outcomes for the general community and the hospitality workforce.

Below are the relevant Ministerial announcements:

2010 Reforms

From 2 January 2010 all enclosed public areas in the Northern Territory (including pubs, clubs and casinos) will be required to be smoke free. To assist owner/occupiers of public areas comply with the enclosed area definition and requirements in the Act, the below guidelines have been developed.

2011 Reforms

From 2 January 2011 all outdoor eating and drink areas s in the Northern Territory will be required to be smoke free. Liquor licensed premises may exempt a small part of their outdoor area (up to a maximum of 50%) for a smoking area however this will be subject to strict regulatory restrictions.

The owner occupier of any public venue (such as a shopping centre, sports facility, business owner or workshop, is now also able to declare any public outdoor area as a smoke free area under the tobacco control legislation. There is a simple self regulated process involved that can be quickly and easily implemented. Both licensed and non-licensed venues can use this provision to introduce the bans on smoking in outdoor eating and drinking areas prior to 2 January 2011 if they choose.

In addition to the smoke free area reforms, on 2 January 2011 all tobacco retailers will no longer be permitted to display any tobacco products at the point of sale or anywhere else in their store. Under the tobacco reforms, tobacco retailers will also be subject new annual retail licence fees and renewal processes, as well as new licence conditions requiring them to provide records of sales data to the Department of Health and Families and prohibitng the sale of fruit and confectionary flavoured cigarettes.

To assist owner/occupiers of all businesses comply with the new smoking requirements, and to support public understanding of the reforms the below fact sheets have been developed:

For liquor licensed premises that choose to exempt an Outdoor Smoking Area, a smoking management plan must be completed and maintaine by the owner operator. A template for the smoking management plan is available below as well as an example of how it could be completed. Smoking mangement plans do not require government approval but you may face enforcement action if operating an outdoor smoking area without a properly completed plan:

Poster -

Radio Ad -

Television Ads -

Signs

NT Tobacco Plan 2010-2013

The NT Tobacco Action Plan 2010-2013 is a framework for reducing tobacco-related harm. It includes a range of interventions that address three key action areas - policy and legislation, health care and community interventions. The Plan has been developed by the Department of Health and Families (DHF) in association with key partner organisations, the Heart Foundation NT, Cancer Council NT and Menzies School of Health Research and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT). The Plan was formalised following a tobacco control summit held in Darwin last year attracting community representatives from across the NT.

Read the Northern Territory Tobacco Action Plan (Adobe PDF document - 3562KB)

'Nobody Smokes Here Anymore' Material

In an effort to raise awareness of the new reforms, the Department of Health and Families has commissioned the 'Nobody Smokes Here Anymore' awareness campaign that will be occurring throughout NT in December and January on television, radio, and in the major news papers.

In support of the media campaign, a suite of promotional materials to promote the new arrangements to patrons has been developed. These materials mirror the on-air campaign and include:

Developing a Smoke Free Policy for your Organisation

Should you wish to access additional quantities of the available promotional materials, a please complete the above order form and email to: [click here to send email], or alternatively fax to (08) 8999 2420 - please be aware some orders may take up to 10 days to be delivered. Further information about the changes to the legislation, and resources that are available to support licensed premises, can also be obtained using the Smoke-free Hotline on 1800 888 564 (toll free).    

Also available to support any patrons who choose to quit as a result of the new arrangements in licensed premises are Quit resources that can be obtained by calling the Quitline on 13 7848 or 13 QUIT.

Quit Resources

  • Call (08) 8922 7703 to find out more about your local Quit group

Quit Campaigns

I'm Smarter than Smoking - Youth campaign featuring Jessica Mauboy

Television commercials

Radio commercials

Other television commercials
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