New requirements for retailers of smoking products commence from 1 September 2024
- From 1 September all retailers of smoking products must have an approved licence.
For hotels the requirement is the ‘Retail (liquor) licence’ – a retail (liquor) licence authorises you to sell smoking products to the public from a liquor licensed premises. Only a liquor licensee may apply for a retail (liquor) licence. A copy of your liquor licence for the premises is required as part of the application process.
If you want to sell smoking products from more than 1 liquor licensed premises, you must apply and obtain a licence for each premises. For example this may be one licence to sell ‘over the bar’ and another separate licence to sell from a bottle shop or ‘drive-through’ area.
NOTE: There is no application fee applicable for this licence, but you must still apply,
A retail (liquor) licence limits the supply of smoking products from the liquor licensed premises. Online supply of smoking products is not permitted.
- Tobacco vending machines must be in staff-only areas at liquor licensed premises. Customers cannot self-serve from vending machines.
- Children must not be employed to supply or handle smoking products. However, small business with less than 20 staff have until 1 September 2025 to comply with this requirement.
The Retailer factsheet (PDF), and updated Smoking Products Retailers Guide (PDF) include information to help your business understand new and existing smoking products supply requirements.