Australia
West Leederville Irish pub J.B. O’Reilly’s owner Paul North was in danger of facing prosecution or hefty fines after the Australian health department conducted a routine inspection.
Health Department inspectors discovered a display of tobacco advertising, which is now banned in the country. Almost every inch of North’s popular watering hole in Cambridge Street is littered with antique signs and memorabilia, including a number of collectable tobacco signs dating back more than 120 years, although “most of the brands [are no longer] on the market and J.B. O’Reilly’s [does not sell] any tobacco products.”
North said the health department was being ridiculous because most of the tobacco featured on signs in the pub were no longer available, and after a public outcry, Premier Colin Barnett announced he would overrule the Health Department directive that the Irish pub remove its memorabilia tobacco signs.
Under the Tobacco Control Legislation Act, tobacco advertising and promotion is illegal. The maximum fine for a business is $40,000 and repeat offenders could be slugged with a fine up to $80,000.