There’s been some important changes to South Australian legislation that may impact you in the coming months.
Smoking and Vaping Law Changes
From 1 March 2024, new laws ban smoking and vaping in a variety of public outdoor areas in South Australia. This includes outdoor swimming pools, children’s sporting events, beaches near patrol flags, jetties, outside shopping centre entrances, childcare settings, schools and hospitals.
In bid to protect the community from passive exposure to tobacco smoke and vape exhalant, these law changes bring with them an on-the-spot fine of $105 and up to $750 if prosecuted.
Smoke-free and vape-free areas in South Australia now include the following:
- Outdoor public swimming facilities, and within 10m of the entrance.
- On beaches between and within 50m of patrol flags and within 5m of jetties.
- At and within 10m of schools and childcare settings.
- At and within 10m of non-residential building entrances, such as entrances to shopping centres, government and commercial buildings.
- At public hospitals and health facilities, private hospitals and within 10m of their boundaries.
- At major event venues declared under the Major Events Act 2013.
- At and within 10m of playing and viewing areas during organised under-18 sporting events.
Mobile Phone Detection Cameras
Adelaide’s first mobile phone detection camera has now been installed on South Road, Torrensville – one of five to be rolled out across SA.
The additional locations the cameras will be installed are:
- Southern Expressway, Darlington
- North South Motorway, Regency Park
- Port Road, Hindmarsh
- Port Wakefield Road, Gepps Cross
A three-month educational period will operate from June to September 2024, where drivers will not be fined or lose demerit points. Following this, drivers caught using their mobile phone illegally while driving by a mobile phone detection camera will be fined $540 (+ $99 victims of crime levy), and lose 3 demerit points.
For further information or legal advice, please contact us.
