Project status: Closed

This consultation closed 7 April 2017. Read the Engagement Summary Report to read what we heard.

For updated information, check the ACT Health website or the ACT Health Smoke-Free environments website.

Smoke-free public transport waiting areas

From 1 October 2017, smoking or vaping is banned at all public transport stations and public transport stops in the ACT. The smoking ban is made by the Chief Minister and the Minister of Health and Wellbeing under the Smoke-Free Public Places Act 2003.

Smoking is banned within 5 metres of all public transport stops and at all transport stations in the ACT. This includes all platforms of passenger railways and light rail stations, bus stops and bus stations, taxi ranks and bus stop seating areas. The ban applies regardless of whether the area is covered or uncovered.

More information regarding the smoke-free ban can be found here.

What we heard

Between 24 February and 7 April 2017 ACT Health conducted a public consultation on whether public transport waiting areas across the ACT should be made smoke-free. Respondents were overwhelmingly supportive of the proposal to make ACT public transport waiting areas smoke-free, with 93 per cent in favour of the proposed policy option.

583 submissions (581 complete submissions) were provided to the consultation, including 564 from individuals and 17 from organisations.

The consultation sought community feedback on banning smoking within five meters of all publicly and privately owned transport waiting areas, including bus and coach interchanges, residential bus stops, taxi ranks, light rail stations and train stations.

You can view a summary of the submissions to see what Canberrans said in the Engagement Summary Report.