Changes to price boards
Under the new Tobacco Regulations 2017, there are some small changes to price notices (commonly known as price boards) from 1 August 2017.
Most existing requirements continue. In summary, the changes mean that a price board must:
- not contain any discount price information or any other information indicating a product has been discounted. This means that 'specials' stickers and other forms of price discounting are not permitted on a price board
- have letters and numbers in the same font, font size and font style
- not make information about one product more noticeable than any other product.
In addition, operators of certified specialist tobacconists must display a prescribed graphic health warning sign on, or immediately next to, a price board.
Changes to price boards: Information for tobacco retailers and specialist tobacconists
Regulation of e-cigarette products
From 1 August 2017, the Tobacco Amendment Act 2016 will amend the Tobacco Act 1987 to regulate all e-cigarettes in the same way as tobacco products.
This will mean that e-cigarettes cannot be used in areas where smoking is banned, cannot be displayed at retailer outlets, and cannot be sold to people under 18 years of age, as well as being subject to other restrictions.
The sale of e-cigarette products containing nicotine is already illegal in Victoria under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981.
The supplement to the Tobacco retailer guide provides information for retailers to understand and comply with the laws about e-cigarette products commencing 1 August 2017. The supplement covers the main sale, display and advertising laws that apply to e-cigarette products.
E-cigarette reforms: Supplement to the Tobacco Retailer Guide about reforms commencing 1 August 2017
Specialist e-cigarette retailing premises
The Victorian Government is aware that there is a small number of businesses in Victoria where the sale of e-cigarettes constitutes a significant portion of their turnover.
Businesses that were operating on and from 1 September 2016, where e-cigarettes are the predominant product for sale, are able to apply for certification to be a specialist e-cigarette retailing premises.
Certified specialist e-cigarette retailing premises will be permitted a limited display of e-cigarettes and e-cigarette accessories such as e-liquids.
The Minister for Health has adopted guidelines for certification of specialist e-cigarette retail premises which stipulate the criteria for certification and the process for regulating certified businesses.
Ministerial guidelines for certification of specialist e-cigarette retail premises
The Certified specialist e-cigarette retailing premises guide contains information to assist certified premises comply with laws related to the sale of e-cigarette products. It is clearly structured in a question-and-answer format, and grouped into sections that cover the main areas of the Tobacco Act.
Downloads
Reviewed 06 November 2023