Regulation of place of sale

In Victoria, places within retail and wholesale outlets at which tobacco products are sold must comply with a number of obligations and restrictions contained in the Tobacco Act 1987 (Vic)  and the Tobacco Regulations 1997 (Vic).

Among other things, the legislation contains the following requirements in relation to product displays and signage requirements at the point of sale.  Other aspects of tobacco retailing are governed by the sections of the Act and the Regulations set out in the table below.

Displaying products at the point of sale

Currently, a retail outlet may advertise tobacco products by displaying them, provided the display complies with detailed statutory requirements as to the positioning of the packs.  The area of the display must not exceed 4 square metres (Tobacco Act 1987 (Vic), section 6A(7)). 

Signage

All tobacco retail outlets must display either a health warning sign, or a sign relating to programs assisting in the cessation of smoking, in accordance with detailed specifications set out in the Tobacco Regulations 1997 (Vic).  The sign must be at least A3 in size, and clearly visible at an entrance to the premises or at a point of sale on the premises (Tobacco Regulations 1997 (Vic), regulation 5AB).

*Tobacco advertising is also governed by the Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act 1992 (Cth)