Queen Victoria Market recently became the 14th smoke-free area in the Melbourne CBD, following extensive consultation with the community.
City of Melbourne has been implementing smoke-free areas in the city since 2013 as a way of protecting the community from harmful second-hand smoke and vape aerosol.
These smoke-free areas de-normalise smoking and vaping, reduce uptake, and provide a supportive environment to quit the habit, which is commonly recognised as a leading preventable cause of cancer and heart disease.
The Queen Victoria Market is Melbourne's number one international tourist attraction and a popular shopping destination for Melburnians, with approximately 9 million visitors per year. The popularity and scale of the market make it an essential addition to the City's suite of smoke-free areas.
The smoke-free area was endorsed by Council following extensive community consultation. A total of 1,267 community members, visitors and traders had their say on the proposal. 76% of those surveyed were supportive of the market going smoke free. A further 41% said they would be even more likely to visit the market as a result.
Smoke-free signage was installed in September 2024, allowing education and enforcement to begin. City of Melbourne is now in the process of determining future smoke free areas.
Learn more about City of Melbourne smoke-free areas here.