​​​The Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 restricts the sale of tobacco products, non-tobacco smoking products and smoking accessories to a single point of sale.

Retailers are restricted to selling all tobacco from a single point of sale in each retail outlet. This means that these products can only be sold from one cash register at a time in each retail outlet. However, it does not mean that the same cash register must be used all the time.

A service desk with more than one cash register is more than one point of sale. A single point of sale means a single cash register.

Note:

• When this fact sheet refers to tobacco, it means all tobacco products, non-tobacco smoking products and smoking accessories.
• Smoking accessories include cigarette papers, pipes, cigarette holders, hookahs, water pipes or any other smoking implement.

What if the point-of-sale register is broken?

If the point-of-sale cash register is broken or requires maintenance, another register can be used. Signage required under the legislation should be placed near the new point-of-sale register for tobacco products.

What about vending machines and selling from licensed premises?

Tobacco vending machines are not a point of sale. Licensed premises may sell tobacco products from only one cash register, but may also sell tobacco products from one vending machine. Tobacco vending machines can only be placed in a bar or gaming machine area of a hotel, club or casino restricted to over 18s. For more information about this matter, visit Tobacco vending machines.​

Can retailers display a sign to show customers where to go to buy tobacco products?

Retailers can put up a sign to inform customers of the cash register that is being used for tobacco sales, as long as:

• they sell products other than tobacco products, non-tobacco smoking products or smoking accessories, and
• the shop or retail outlet has more than one cash register.

The sign must conform to the following requirements:

• wording of “Tobacco sold at this cash register only”
• black lettering on a white background and be no larger in size than 60 point type, and
• the total sign size is no larger than 21cm high X 30 cm wide (A4).

Retailers can make their own signs as long as they meet the requirements set out in the Public Health (Tobacco) Regulation 2022.

Can retailers put up more than one “Tobacco sold at this cash register only” sign?

No. Retailers can only put up one of these signs. Multiple signs are not permitted.

For more information about signage requirements, see How to display compulsory warning signs.

How does NSW Health monitor compliance with the requirement?

Breaches of the requirement for a single point of sale are an offence. NSW Health Authorised Inspectors undertake routine compliance activities in retail outlets, such as checking signage and product display for tobacco products. Authorised Inspectors will check that tobacco retailers have a single point of sale by inspecting the point of sale arrangements.

If retailers display the sign, ‘Tobacco sold at this cash register only’, then Authorised Inspectors will check that the sign is compliant with the size, wording and format requirements outlined in the Regulation.

Authorised Inspectors will also follow up complaints from members of the public about suspected breaches of the single point of sale requirement.

Where are signs available from?

Signs can also be ordered by completing the retailer order form, emailing MOH-PopulationHealthResources@health.nsw.gov.au or calling 1300 655 957.

Further information

See Tobacco and Smoking Control in NSW or call the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412.​