Key messages
- Victorian retailers can no longer apply to have a premises certified as a specialist tobacconist.
- The change to the law limits the number of businesses that can publicly display tobacco products.
- Detailed information on specialist tobacconist certification will be available shortly.
In order to continue reducing the visibility of tobacco products at retail outlets across Victoria, retailers can no longer apply to have a premises certified as a specialist tobacconist.
This change will limit the number of businesses that can publicly display tobacco products.
The supplement to the Specialist Tobacconist guide provides information for certified specialist tobacconists 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.
Resources for specialist tobacconists
A Specialist Tobacconist Guide and fact sheets are available for electronic download from the resources and factsheets page.
Certified specialist tobacconists - FAQs
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A ‘certified specialist tobacconist’ is a retail business that:
- derived 80 per cent or more gross turnover from the sale of tobacco products in the 12 months immediately preceding the application
- operates from a premises that is separated from any other retail premises by a wall
- operates from a premises that does not open directly to another retail premises
- does not sell products or services for children or adolescents
- does not sell food or beverages other than low-risk, shelf-stable foods and beverages
- clearly identifies itself as a specialist tobacconist through the use of external branding containing the words ‘tobacco’ and/or ‘tobacconist’ and/or ‘cigarettes’
- does not identify itself as a newsagent through external or internal branding and only sells local, state and national/daily/weekly newspapers
- is certified by the Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services.
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A person is no longer able to apply to have a premises certified as a specialist tobacconist.
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Certification is ongoing unless the tobacco retailing business ends or moves to another premises. Certification also ends if the original applicant is no longer carrying on the business.
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Yes. Specialist tobacconist certification can be cancelled if:
- the holder does not comply with a requirement of the Tobacco Act or Tobacco Regulations, or
- the premises no longer satisfies the criteria for certification, or
- the holder requests it.
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Reviewed 08 October 2015