Smoke free outdoor dining

The Victorian State Government has announced that from 1 August 2017 smoking will be banned in outdoor dining areas at hospitality and food venues.

This includes footpath dining areas, courtyards and beer gardens during times food is being eaten, or is available to be eaten and in all outdoor areas at food fairs/festivals.

To complement smoke-free outdoor dining, smoking is also banned in an outdoor drinking area if any part of that area is within four metres of an outdoor dining area, unless separated by a wall of at least 2.1 metres high. This means the two areas can be separated by either a 4 metre buffer zone; or a wall of at least 2.1 metres high.

If the separation requirement is not met, smoking is banned in the outdoor drinking area. This law applies to the same venue as well as to neighbouring venues. Smoking is also banned within 10m of a food stall at a market.

More information can be found on the Victorian Government's Health website.