Almost $30,000 in fines have been dished out to smokers who light up near Queensland bus stops, taxi ranks and ferry terminals.
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On September 1, 2016, it became illegal to smoke within five metres of public transport waiting points.
Since then, 117 fines were issued to Queenslanders for the offence, which currently attracts a fine of $252.30.
That was about one fine on average every four days.
Of those, 92 fines were issued in the Brisbane region, by environmental health officers from the Metro North and Metro South hospital and health services.
A Queensland Health spokesman said officers made every attempt to deter smokers from breaking the law, which included giving oral and written warnings, before issuing fines.
"Our environmental health officers regularly respond to complaints by the public when people light up in no-smoking areas," he said.
The spokesman said smoking was the leading preventable cause of death and disease in Queensland.
"Even passive smoking - breathing smoke from other people's cigarettes - can adversely affect your health," he said.
"Queensland's anti-smoking laws are now among the toughest in the world, and were introduced to protect everyone, including those who smoke, from harm caused by tobacco and exposure to cigarette smoke."
In Queensland, about 3400 people die from a tobacco-related disease each year, and 2 per cent of those deaths are caused by second-hand smoke exposure.
In 2016, 12 per cent of Queensland adults smoked daily, with the rate halving since 1998.
Cancer Council Queensland chief executive Chris McMillan said there was no safe level of smoking, or exposure to tobacco smoke.
"Smoke-free spaces, such as at bus stops, give people the freedom to go to work, study and do other daily activities, without being exposed to second-hand smoke," she said.
"Continued awareness is also needed to ensure Queenslanders understand the places where smoking is banned and to help educate people about the harmful effects of tobacco."
Ms McMillan said smoking significantly increased the risk of developing chronic diseases, including several cancers.
"While Queensland's smoke-free laws are some of the toughest in the country, we still have a long way to go to protect our communities from the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke," she said.
Queensland's smoking laws
- Smoking in national parks is banned within 10 metres of in-use campsites and in any public facilities, such as picnic tables, toilet blocks, barbecues, visitor information centres, shelters, jetties, boat ramps
- No smoking within five metres of public transport waiting points such as bus stops, taxi ranks, and ferry terminals
- No smoking within 10 metres of playing and viewing areas during organised under-18 sporting events
- No smoking within 10 metres of skate parks
- No smoking within five metres of early childhood education and care services, kindergartens, and after school hour care
- No smoking at all outdoor pedestrian malls
- No smoking within five metres of all residential aged care facilities, outside of designated areas
- Smoke-free buffer of five metres at all non-residential building entrances
- No smoking at pedestrian precincts around prescribed state government buildings
- No smoking at public swimming pool facilities
- Tobacco products cannot be sold from temporary retail outlets
- Local governments can ban smoking in any public space not covered by a state-wide smoking bans
- No smoking at outdoor public places such as patrolled beaches, children’s playground equipment and major sports stadiums
- No smoking in cars where children under the age of 16 years are present
- No smoking anywhere inside pubs, clubs, restaurants and workplaces
- No smoking at commercial outdoor eating or drinking areas
- No smoking at state and non-state schools, and for five metres beyond their boundaries
- No smoking at public and private hospitals and health facilities, and for five metres beyond their boundaries
- No sales of tobacco products to children under 18 years of age
- Mandatory training of employees who sell tobacco products
- Bans on the display of tobacco products at retail outlets
- Mandatory no-smoking and quit smoking signs at retail outlets
- No tobacco advertising or competitions
- Tobacco vending machines must be located in bar or poker machine areas only
- Electronic cigarettes cannot be used in no-smoking indoor and outdoor areas, sold to children under 18 years of age, or advertised, promoted or displayed at retail outlets
