The Public Health Act 1997 contains a number of provisions that impose significant limits on the way tobacco products are displayed and sold. These include prohibitions on:
- All advertising of tobacco products;
- Promotions and marketing schemes involving tobacco products such as give-aways;
- Tobacco manufacturers providing false information about the health effects of tobacco or tobacco control laws;
- Confectionery or toys which look like tobacco products;
- Tobacco products being sold in packages containing less than 20 cigarettes;
- All internal spot and external lighting attached to tobacco displays and vending machines; and
- Self-operated vending machines.
Furthermore,
- Items designed or marketed for use by children including confectionery are required to be displayed at least 75cm from tobacco products;
- Displays are restricted to one packet per product line to a maximum of 150 packets within a space of 4 square metres. Vending machines may have a maximum of 40 vending chips displaying images of tobacco products;
- Approved graphic health warning notices are to be displayed where tobacco products are sold and on vending machines; and
- There are limitations on how price tickets and price information can be displayed.
There are penalties for breaching the tobacco control laws. Tobacco Control Officers from the Department of Health and Human Services conduct regular checks to ensure retailer compliance.
For further information view the tobacco control provisions in Part 4 (Division 1A) of [
Public Health Act 1997] or contact a Tobacco Control Officer to obtain your copy of 'Selling Tobacco Products in Tasmania ' .