This is a reminder to all BPBA members that smoking is prohibited within the grounds of all Victorian childcare centres, kindergartens, preschools and primary and secondary schools in Victoria. This includes all Government, independent and Catholic schools.  Smoking is also banned within four metres of all entrances (pedestrian access points) to the premises.

The smoking ban applies at primary and secondary schools at all times, no matter whether the building or school grounds are being used for education purposes or other purposes. The ban therefore applies when other activities are taking place on the school grounds, such as fetes or sporting events, as well as during school hours.

The diagram (left) shows an example of where the smoking ban applies at a school.

In short, patrons are required to exit the school gates to remove themselves from Department of Education land before lighting up a cigarette.

This applies to ALL school venues, including but not limited to the following venues used by BPBA for games and/or training:

• Bellarine Sports Centre, Drysdale (Bellarine Secondary College)
• Christian College Bellarine
• St Ignatius College
• Barwon Heads PS
• LINC (Leopold PS)

The maximum penalty for someone breaking these laws is five penalty units, with an infringement penalty of one penalty unit.

As of 1 July 2016, a penalty unit is valued at $155.46

For more information visit www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms