Smoking ban starts in Victoria pubs

ALL Victorian licensed pubs, clubs, bars and gaming rooms become smoke-free from today as new laws take effect throughout the state.

Those who flout the smoking ban risk $110 on-the-spot fines, rising to up to $550 for smokers who contest the penalty notice in court.

Venues face the same penalties and environmental health officers will enforce the laws through random inspections.

But revenue from the smoking big spenders will continue to flow, with the high roller rooms at Melbourne's Crown Casino exempt.