A smoke-free area is a public space where smoking is not permitted. This may include open air spaces and dining within the smoke-free area. It is illegal to smoke in a smoke-free area under Clause 3A.3 of the Activities Local Law 2019. There are also a number of areas where it is illegal to smoke under Victorian Government legislation. Visit the Health page for more information.

Smoke-free areas support the community in three main ways:

• Protect community from second-hand smoking.
• Reduce uptake of smoking behaviour in children and young people by modelling non-smoking behaviour.
• Provide a supportive environment for people who smoke who are trying to quit or have recently quit.
• Reduce tobacco related litter.
• Improve public amenities.

Smoking is commonly recognised as the leading preventable cause of cancer and also responsible for many heart and lung diseases. According to the Cancer Council, a smoke-free environment is the only way to fully protect non-smokers from the dangers of second-hand smoke, as even small amounts of exposure to tobacco smoke can be harmful to people's health.

We are proud to be creating healthy environments where people can live, learn, work and play.

There are currently 13 smoke-free areas prescribed by the City of Melbourne including The Causeway, Howey Place, Block Place, Equitable Place, Goldsbrough Lane, QV Melbourne, The Tan and Princes Park running tracks, Collins Way, Fulham Place, Market Street Park and Bourke Street (between Elizabeth Street and Russell Place, including the mall) and McKillop Street.
Under Victorian Government legislation there are additional locations where smoking is not permitted, such as outdoor dining areas, playgrounds, childcare centres, and outside certain building entrances. For more information visit the Health pages.

Our Smoke-Free Melbourne policy helps guide how we choose and prioritise new smoke-free areas.

We also consider other factors including: location, number of businesses, pedestrian traffic, adjoining buildings and properties, as well as existing smoking controls.

We will engage with the key stakeholders, residents, building owners, businesses, and people who use the area, as well as the broader community to understand the potential impacts and benefits of making these areas smoke-free.

We consider all feedback, both for and against, when making decisions about creating smoke-free areas. The feedback report is then provided to Council for consideration. Councillors review the feedback reports and submissions received. Each issue is put to a vote, with a majority needed in order for an area to become smoke-free.

We’re officially the first Australian city to introduce a framework to help protect our community from the harmful effects of smoking.

Smoking is the single biggest contributor to preventable disease and death in Australia and there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Support for more smoke-free areas across the city has grown significantly with our most recent proposal at Market Street Park showing 95 per cent of individuals and 100 per cent of businesses were in support of the area becoming smoke-free.

This policy will guide the creation of more smoke-free areas, reduce smoking in our city, help people to quit and create a healthy and safe environment for everyone.

You can view the policy by visiting the Health pages on our website.

Prescribed smoke-free areas are enforceable under Clause 3A.3 of the Activities Local Law 2019 (Local Law). All areas prescribed smoke-free will be clearly signed indicating that it is not permitted to smoke or use an e-cigarette (known as vaping) in these areas. Fines may apply if a person fails to comply with these restrictions.