Tobacco and nicotine age limits in Queensland (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: In Queensland tobacco products may not be supplied to anyone under 18, and smoking and vaping are banned in enclosed places. Smoking is banned in a vehicle with a person under 16, and confectionary- or fruit-flavoured cigarettes may not be sold. Nicotine pouches may not be sold from 24 July 2026.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age to buy tobaccoTobacco and nicotine products18 years [1]
Minimum age to buy e-cigarettesTobacco and nicotine products⚠ Not yet verified
Nicotine pouchesTobacco and nicotine productsSale banned [2]
Smoking ban in indoor public placesTobacco and nicotine productsYes [1]
Smoking ban on public transportTobacco and nicotine productsYes [1]
E-cigarettes in indoor public placesTobacco and nicotine productsYes. In the Act 'smoke' includes inhaling through a vaping device, so the ban on smoking in an enclosed place also covers vaping. [1]
Smoking in cars with childrenTobacco and nicotine productsSmoking is banned in a motor vehicle on a road or road-related area if another person in the vehicle is under 16. 'Smoke' includes inhaling through a vaping device. [1]
Flavoured tobacco and e-cigarettesTobacco and nicotine productsSelling a confectionary-flavoured or fruit-flavoured cigarette is banned. Menthol-flavoured cigarettes are exempt. [1]

Notes

  • The offence is supplying a tobacco product, herbal cigarette or loose smoking blend to a person under 18 (Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 section 66; penalties apply to the supplier).
  • The supply offence in part 3 of the Act covers tobacco products, herbal cigarettes and loose smoking blends, not vaping devices. Vaping goods are regulated through Commonwealth and state medicines law, which was not read.
  • The TGA states that from 24 July 2026 there is no lawful pathway to buy or import nicotine pouches in Australia, and that retail sale, including online, is illegal. This is Commonwealth law and applies in this jurisdiction; state or territory law may add further controls, which were not checked. The page was read as an Internet Archive snapshot of 17 July 2026 because the live page could not be reached.
  • Exceptions include residential premises (other than a part used for business with non-residents present), the private areas of multi-unit residential accommodation and premium gaming rooms in casinos.
  • The ban covers public transport waiting points (signs, shelters, seating, terminals, jetties, pontoons, platforms and landings for buses, trains, ferries, taxis and hire vehicles) and land within 5 m of them. The section does not name the inside of vehicles.
  • Section 112 applies to a person who 'smokes', which the Act defines to include inhaling through a vaping device.
  • Section 117 of the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998; the maximum penalty is 20 penalty units. Section 116 separately bans smoking in a vehicle used for business when another person is in it.
  • Section 164 applies to cigarettes only.

Sources

  1. Queensland Government (Queensland Legislation): Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (current as at 3 September 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA): Nicotine pouches (Internet Archive snapshot of 17 July 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

National rules that also apply

These rules are set at national level in Australia and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for Australia

Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes18 years (source: Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA))
Nicotine pouchesSale banned (source: Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA))

More rules in Queensland

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 60 km/h · Minimum age: 16 (12-17 if supervised)
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence · Growing at home: Banned
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h (110 km/h where signed)
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container refund scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (P1 licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Zero tolerance · THC threshold: Any trace of THC
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules plus age and licence · Minimum age: 16 (12-17 if supervised)
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while visiting · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or resident visa: Queensland licence after 3 months
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without reasonable excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Some one-hand opening knives category M
  • MopedsLicence: Class RE or car licence
  • Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
  • Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
  • Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Open/P2 only; L/P1 under 25: none
  • Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
  • Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes · Minimum alarms and where: A smoke alarm in each bedroom. For each storey with bedrooms: in the hallway that a bedroom door opens onto (or, if a bedroom has no door to a hallway, in the part of the storey between that bedroom and the rest of the dwelling). For a storey with no bedrooms: on the most likely path of travel to an exit. All alarms must be interconnected.
  • Towing trailers and caravans
  • Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
  • Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: Under 0.05% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.