New requirements for the supply of smoking products

Changes to supply of smoking products at liquor licensed venues

From 1 September 2024, liquor licensed premises can only supply smoking products from a service counter, for example at a bar or a bottle shop.

From 1 September 2024,  a tobacco product vending machine can be onsite at a liquor licensed premises however it must be located in an area that can only be accessed by staff. This may include behind a bar area or in a storeroom. Smoking products can also be located in a cabinet or similar storage at the single point of sale provided it complies with the controls on advertisement and display under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (the Act).

To supply smoking products, the licensee of a venue will need to hold a smoking product retail licence (liquor) for each premises listed on the liquor licence where smoking products are sold. This includes each attached and detached bottle shop associated with the liquor licence. There is no fee for liquor licensed venues to hold a smoking product licence.

Only the liquor licensee of a venue may apply for and hold a smoking product licence (liquor). A copy of your liquor licence for the premises is required as part of the application process. The licence limits the supply of smoking products to within the liquor licensed premises, online supply of smoking products is not permitted.

The liquor licensee is accountable for the supply of smoking products at the venue and maintaining compliance with all requirements of the Act, this includes supply from a vending machine located in a staff-only area.

Employees under the age of 18 cannot sell or handle smoking products

From 1 September 2024, businesses supplying smoking products by retail must ensure any employees under 18 do not sell or handle a smoking product in the course of their employment.

This does not apply if an employee under 18 is handling a smoking product to deliver it to a premises, load or unload smoking products to or from a vehicle, or to warehouse the smoking products.

If your business has less than 20 employees, you have until 1 September 2025 to ensure that you meet this requirement.

More information

It is important to keep up to date about smoking product retailing requirements including for the supply of smoking products through a tobacco through a vending machine.

The Retailer factsheet (PDF, 94KB), and updated Smoking Products Retailers Guide (PDF, 491KB) also include information to help your business understand new and existing smoking products supply requirements. The Retailer factsheet is available in a range of languages.