Product Overview

Summary: This Smoking Prohibition Enforcement Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, practical framework for implementing and enforcing smoke-free requirements across Australian workplaces. It helps organisations protect workers, visitors and contractors from second-hand smoke, comply with WHS and state-based tobacco legislation, and manage breaches consistently and fairly.

This Smoking Prohibition Enforcement Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, defensible approach to managing smoking in and around the workplace. It translates Australian WHS obligations and state and territory tobacco control laws into clear, day-to-day actions for managers, supervisors and workers. The SOP covers the designation of smoke-free areas, signage requirements, communication of expectations, and step-by-step guidance on how to respond to non-compliance in a consistent, respectful and legally robust manner.

Unmanaged smoking can expose workers and visitors to second-hand smoke, trigger health conditions, create fire risks, and generate complaints, grievances and regulatory scrutiny. This procedure helps organisations remove ambiguity by defining who can do what, where and when in relation to smoking, including vaping and e‑cigarettes where applicable. It supports businesses to protect worker health, reduce conflict, and demonstrate that they have taken reasonably practicable steps to control smoking-related risks, which is critical in the event of an incident, complaint or inspection by WHS regulators or local councils.

By implementing this SOP, organisations can align their smoke-free policy with practical enforcement processes, ensuring that managers are confident in handling breaches, documenting actions taken, and escalating issues appropriately. The document is suitable for a wide range of Australian workplaces including offices, warehouses, construction sites, healthcare, education, hospitality, retail, and government facilities.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, fair and lawful enforcement of smoke-free rules across all sites and shifts.
• Reduce exposure of workers, contractors and visitors to second-hand smoke and associated health risks.
• Demonstrate compliance with WHS duties and state or territory tobacco control legislation during audits and inspections.
• Minimise workplace conflict, grievances and confusion by clearly defining smoking expectations, locations and enforcement steps.
• Support supervisors and managers with clear scripts, documentation requirements and escalation pathways for managing non-compliance.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• HR Managers
• People and Culture Managers
• Facility Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Operations Managers
• Compliance and Risk Managers
• Return to Work Coordinators
• Business Owners and Directors

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and associated respiratory and cardiovascular health risks
• Fire risk from discarded cigarettes, matches and lighters, particularly near flammable materials
• Slip, trip and fall hazards associated with cigarette litter and ash in walkways and entry points
• Psychosocial risks arising from disputes, bullying or harassment related to smoking behaviour
• Non-compliance with WHS duties and local tobacco laws leading to regulatory action and reputational damage

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Smoking, Vaping, Designated Smoking Area, Workplace, PCBU, Officer)
• 3.0 Legislative and Regulatory Context
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Officers, Managers, Supervisors, Workers, Contractors, Visitors)
• 5.0 Smoking Prohibition Requirements and Smoke-Free Zones
• 6.0 Designated Smoking Areas – Criteria, Location and Controls
• 7.0 Communication and Consultation with Workers and HSRs
• 8.0 Signage, Labelling and Environmental Controls
• 9.0 Enforcement Procedure – Step-by-Step Response to Non-Compliance
• 10.0 Managing Repeated or Serious Breaches (Escalation and Disciplinary Pathways)
• 11.0 Managing Visitors, Contractors and Third Parties
• 12.0 Recordkeeping and Documentation (Incident Reports, Warnings, Corrective Actions)
• 13.0 Integration with HR Policies, Drug and Alcohol Procedures and Fire Safety Plans
• 14.0 Training, Induction and Awareness Programs
• 15.0 Monitoring, Inspection and Continuous Improvement
• 16.0 Handling Complaints, Disputes and Psychosocial Risks Related to Smoking
• 17.0 Review, Audit and SOP Revision History
• Appendix A – Example Signage and Communication Templates
• Appendix B – Supervisor Conversation Scripts for Addressing Non-Compliance
• Appendix C – Sample Smoking Prohibition Breach Report Form
• Appendix D – Risk Assessment Considerations for Smoking and Designated Areas

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and corresponding state and territory WHS Regulations)
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Relevant State and Territory Tobacco Control Legislation (e.g. Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 (NSW), Tobacco Act 1987 (VIC), Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (QLD))
• AS 3745:2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities (for alignment with emergency and evacuation considerations)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems