Key messages
- Smoking is banned at all under-age music or dance events in Victoria, including FReeZA events and Blue Light discos.
- The ban also covers the sale, display and promotion of tobacco products.
- Event organisers must ensure that cigarette vending machines and tobacco advertisements are removed or completely covered during under-age events.
By law, smoking is prohibited at all public music or dance events that are organised for or predominantly attended by young people under the age of 18 years.
Under amendments to the Tobacco Act 1987, the following are prohibited at under-age music or dance events:
- smoking
- the display and promotion of tobacco products
- the sale of tobacco products.
Under the law, the organiser or manager of the venue where the event is held will be liable if smoking occurs, unless certain circumstances apply.
‘No smoking’ signage and resources
A guide and factsheet on smoke-free under-age events and ‘No smoking’ signs can be ordered without charge from the Resources and factsheets page.
Smoke-free underage events - FAQs
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An ‘under-age music or dance event’ is an event that:
- involves the provision of music (whether live or recorded and whether for listening to or dancing to or both)
- is predominantly organised or intended for, or predominantly attended by, persons under the age of 18 years
- is open to members of the public (with or without payment)
- takes place in any area or premises other than a private residence.
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All events that fit the criteria above are required to be smoke-free. Examples of such events include:
- FReeZA events
- Blue Light discos
- under-age music or dance events held at licensed premises
- music or dance events run by schools.
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Yes, outdoor areas of under-age music or dance events are required to be smoke-free.
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No, parties held at private residences are not affected by these laws.
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Yes, if the event is predominantly organised or intended for, or predominantly attended by, persons under the age of 18 years.
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Everyone at the event is prohibited from smoking, including young people, adults, event organisers, band members, entertainment providers, staff and volunteers.
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Yes, the smoking ban at under-age music or dance events applies to events held in licensed premises.
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No. Event organisers must ensure that cigarette vending machines, tobacco advertisements and tobacco displays are removed or completely covered in an opaque material while an under-age music or dance event is taking place.
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Breach of tobacco laws
Infringement notice
Maximum penalties in
Magistrates' CourtNatural person
Body corporate
Natural person
Body corporate
Individual who smokes at an event (does not apply to those aged under 18 years).
1 PU
-
5 PU
-
Person in charge of an event at the time smoking occurs.
2 PU
-
10 PU
50 PU
Person in charge of an event who does not display acceptable ‘No smoking’ signage.
2 PU
5 PU
10 PU
50 PU
Note: PU = penalty unit/s
-
The value of a penalty unit is indexed annually. The current value of a penalty unit is listed on the Legislation and regulations page.
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Yes. The person in charge of the event at the time the smoking occurs will not be guilty of an offence if they can prove that they did not provide an ashtray, matches, lighter or any other thing designed to facilitate smoking, and that:
- they were not aware, and could not reasonably be expected to have been aware, that smoking was occurring; or
- they asked the person to stop smoking and informed the person that they were committing an offence.
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Breach of tobacco laws
Infringement notice
Maximum penalties in
Magistrates' CourtNatural person
Body corporate
Natural person
Body corporate
Person who sells a tobacco product at an under-age music or dance event
3 PU
30 PU
60 PU
300 PU
Person in charge of an under-age music or dance event who does not cover or remove a tobacco vending machine, tobacco advertising or tobacco display
3 PU
30 PU
60 PU
300 PU
Note: PU = penalty unit/s
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No, smoking is not permitted indoors or outdoors at an under-age music or dance event. This ban applies to both young people and adults who are present.
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No, they will not be guilty of an offence. The person in charge of the event at the time will be required to request that the young person stops smoking.
Reviewed 01 December 2022