Policy adopted December 2014
Policy last updated April 2021
Scope and application
This policy applies to all lands acquired or reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, except for lands reserved under Part 4A of the Act (unless the Board of Management for those lands has adopted the policy). However, the policy still provides guidance for staff in their dealings with Boards of Management.
Smoking is prohibited in all NSW national parks. Banning smoking allows the community to experience the beauty of national parks in a safe and clean environment.
Under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 smoking is banned in many outdoor places such as near children's play equipment, at public swimming pools, sports grounds, public transport stops, the entrance to public buildings, and in commercial outdoor dining areas.
Objectives
This policy aims to explain:
- the benefits to the community of banning smoking in parks
- where the ban on smoking will apply, and which parts of parks are exempt
- how the ban on smoking will be implemented.
Definitions
Cigarette means any object or device used to smoke tobacco products, synthesised tobacco-like products, or illegal substances. It does not include electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) for the purposes of this policy.
Park means a reserve gazetted under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, including a national park, nature reserve, historic site, Aboriginal area, state conservation area, karst conservation reserve, regional park or any land acquired by the Minister under Part 11 of the Act.
Smoke means to smoke, hold or otherwise have control over, an ignited smoking product (as defined in the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000).
Smoking product means any tobacco or other product that is intended to be smoked (as defined in the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000). The term includes all tobacco products used in cigarettes, pipes, cigars and water pipes, and any other product used for smoking.
Accountabilities
This section outlines NPWS staff with significant responsibilities for ensuring implementation of the policy.
Paragraph |
Position |
- Issue consent to exempt an area or areas in a park from the smoking ban for a specified event or period of time
|
Branch Director
|