Smoking and vaping will be banned in many outdoor public places under a new plan to curb smoking and e-cigarette use in South Australia.

The bans are intended to better protect people from dangerous second-hand effects and will apply near schools, in shopping centres, buildings and children’s sporting grounds,

The proposed new laws to stub out smoking are part of a state government aimed at achieving the lowest rate of smoking and e-cigarette use nationally within the next five years.

The regulations would significantly increase the number of outdoor places in SA where smoking and vaping is banned, in addition to the current smoke-free laws which include outdoor dining areas, playgrounds and public transport shelters.

Other states already ban smoking and vaping in many of these public places but this plan will result in the most comprehensive smoke-free laws in Australia.

The state government is also proposing to outlaw cigarette vending machines in licensed venues and increase penalties for selling to minors,.

It is proposing to double penalties for the sale or supply of tobacco products to children.

This would increase fines from $1200 to $2400 and would raise the maximum prosecution penalty for a first offence from $20,000 to $40,000 for a business and $5000 to $10,000 for an individual.

Consultation on the proposed new laws has begun via the YourSAy website and remains open until 14 May.

Health & Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton says smoking is the single biggest cause of preventable death and disease in Australia and more needs to be done to cut the deadly habit and protect others from passive smoking.

“We make no apologies for seeking to introduce tougher bans and penalties particularly where children are impacted.

“Smoking has a tragic cost on human lives and is also a burden on our health system in delivering care for those affected. The significant increase in vaping among young people is extremely concerning and a trend that we must stop. 

“As well as introducing tougher restrictions, we must also educate and encourage people to realise the damage they are doing to themselves and others by smoking and vaping.”

A new report from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) shows that in 2022, South Australia reached a daily smoking rate of 8.2 per cent.

It highlights some groups with very high smoking prevalence such as people living with a mental illness, with a daily smoking rate of about 18 per cent.

There has also been a significant increase in e-cigarette or vape use, particularly among young people.