Town Hall House customer service centre
- Town Hall HouseLevel 2, 456 Kent StreetSydney 2000
- 02 9265 9333
- [email protected]
Smoking in public places
Some of our landmark places, including Martin Place, Pitt Street Mall and Sydney Square, are smoke-free to support a healthier way of life.
Published
NSW smoke-free legislation
The NSW Government is mainly responsible for regulating smoking in public spaces. We're not authorised to enforce smoke-free legislation.
Complaints about smoking in public spaces should be lodged with NSW Health. To make a complaint about smoking, call the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412
To report concerns about cigarette butt littering in Pitt Street Mall or Martin Place, contact us on 02 9265 9333
You can also read more about smoking laws and projects. We support NSW Health programs to reduce the public health impacts of smoking.
Martin Place – Permanently smoke-free
We endorsed the smoke-free trial in Martin Place becoming permanent on 27 June 2016.
This move was supported by the NSW Heart Foundation, Cancer Council NSW and Cancer Institute NSW.
Public survey results
We asked for your feedback during the 12-month smoke-free trial in Martin Place and received just over 500 responses. Our online survey asked:
- Do you support the smoke-free trial in Martin Place?
- Would you support an extension of the trial to other areas of the city?
- Are you more or less likely to visit an area if you know it is smoke-free?
The overwhelming majority responded in support of the Martin Place smoke-free trial. The results prompted us to create additional smoke-free areas within central Sydney.
Smoking restrictions in NSW
The NSW Smoke-free Environment Act prohibits smoking in the following places:
- public transport stops, platforms and stations
- around entrances (within 4m) to public buildings
- near children's playgrounds
- near spectators at sports grounds
- outdoor dining areas including dinng areas on the public footpath.
Since July 2007, smoking has been prohibited in all enclosed areas of licensed premises open to the public in NSW with the exception of private gaming rooms at The Star casino. NSW Health may impose penalties if a person smokes, or a venue allows someone to smoke, in a smoke-free area.
Stamping out butts
We need fewer cigarette butts on our streets and in our waterways. A ranger or NSW police officer may fine an individual $80 for discarding an unlit or extinguished cigarette – $200 if it is still alight.
