The cabinet plans to propose a smoking ban at places focused on children, including children’s farms, childcare centres, managed playgrounds and outdoor areas of after-school care facilities. Administrators would be required to establish and enforce the ban. The proposal was expected to be discussed by the Ministerial Council, and would address the remaining locations where smoking is still allowed despite many such places already being smoke-free.

The House of Representatives had also called for a ban and had considered including venues such as zoos, amusement parks and unattended playgrounds. The cabinet is initially focusing on places dedicated to children, citing broad support, while outdoor swimming pools and other locations could be considered later. The plan forms part of the cabinet’s aim for a smoke-free generation by 2040; the Advisory College on Regulatory Burden had previously questioned the effectiveness of related measures.