Smokefree law
On 3 December 2003 an amendment to the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 was passed.
The amendment (the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003), required, among other things that:
- the buildings and grounds of schools and early childhood centres became smokefree from 1 January 2004
- licensed premises (bars, restaurants, cafes, sports clubs, casinos) became smokefree indoors from 10 December 2004
- other workplaces became smokefree indoors from 10 December 2004 – including offices, factories, warehouses, work canteens and ‘smoko’ rooms
- the display of tobacco products in retail outlets was restricted, and a ‘smoking kills’ sign erected near the display from 10 December 2004
- herbal smoking products were included in smoking bans
- the access of those under 18 years of age to smoking products was further restricted.
Second-hand smoke contains poisonous chemicals such as arsenic, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia and carbon monoxide.
Prior to enactment of the smokefree legislation amendment, around 350 New Zealanders died each year because of exposure to second-hand smoke, and many others became sick. These new requirements are designed to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke.
These changes have implications for schools and early childhood centres (EECs), retailers, licensed premises, sports clubs and all employers.
This section provides information about the changes affecting each group, how to comply with the legislation, and where to access signage and other resources.
Legislation
Smoke-free Environments Act 1990
This act regulates smoke-free workplaces and public areas, the marketing, advertising, and promotion of tobacco products and covers the monitoring and regulating of the presence of harmful constituents in tobacco products and tobacco smoke.
Smoke-free Environments Regulations 2007
These regulations are made under the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 and set out the new labelling requirements for retail packages of cigarettes and other tobacco products, which includes packages displaying graphic pictorial health warnings.
Smoke-free Environments Regulations 1999
These regulations are made under the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 and set out the now defunct requirements for retail packages of cigarettes and other tobacco products to display warning health messages.
In this section
- This section outlines how to pay or dispute your smoke-free infringement notice. Read more
- Graphic pictorial health warnings appear on all tobacco packages sold in New Zealand.The regulations, which were passed in February 2007, saw 30 percent of the front and 90 percent of the back of cigarette packets covered by graphic health warnings. Read more
- The Smoke-free Environments Act (the Act) was passed in 1990. Read more
- Changes to smokefree law as a result of the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003. Read more
- Table of provisions and commencement dates for changes under the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003. Read more
- Changes to New Zealand's smokefree law have implications for schools and early childhood centres (EECs), retailers, licensed premises, sports clubs and all employers. The documents on this page provide information about the changes affecting each group. Read more
- This calculator is a guide to determining whether an area is 'open' or 'internal' for the purposes of the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990. Read more
- The Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003 was first introduced to Parliament by Tukoroirangi Morgan, MP, in 1999. Judy Keall, MP, introduced the Supplementary Order Paper (No. 148), which made a number of significant changes to the Bill in 2001. Steve Chadwick, MP subsequently took charge of the Bill. Read more
- Complaints relating to the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 or Smoke-free Environments Regulations 2007 should be addressed to a Smoke-free Enforcement Officer. Read more
Page last updated: 15 September 2005
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