Queensland now has the strictest anti-smoking laws in Australia, but the state government hasn't ruled out making them tougher.
Bus stops, taxi ranks, outdoor shopping malls, aged care facilities, public swimming pool facilities and skate parks are now included in a long list of places that are off limits to those wanting to light up from Thursday.
Cancer Council Queensland chief executive Professor Jeff Dunn says the new legislation makes for the most progressive laws in Australia.
"Two out of every three Queenslanders who take up this habit will ultimately die from tobacco-related disease," he said.
"These laws in Queensland will save lives."
The state's chief health officer, Dr Jeannette Young, said the laws would minimise second-hand smoke exposure for children and support smokers who wanted to quit.
"We know that for people who smoke, their life expectancy is reduced on average by 10 years," Dr Young said.
"It's not just harmful to the people who smoke, it's harmful to the people around them."
Health Minister Cameron Dick said the reforms would send a message to smokers that their habit needed to be eliminated.
Since the introduction of the first anti-smoking laws 15 years ago, the number of adult Queenslanders who smoke daily has more than halved to just 12 per cent.
In the same period, the number of teenagers (12-17 years) having a daily puff has dropped from 24 per cent to just six.
"This shows that our laws in Queensland are working and that smoking is becoming culturally unacceptable," Mr Dick said.
"I don't rule out taking further steps but I'd like to see how these laws work first."
About 3700 people in Queensland die from smoking-related illnesses every year - the equivalent of 10 deaths each day.
The new government building at 1 William Street will be an entirely smoke-free precinct.
Mr Dick's colleagues who frequent a smoking spot on a parliament house balcony are now banned from lighting up there.
"I know these laws are supported by all members of the government," he said.
Smokers can face a fine of $243 or be taken to court for serious law breaches.
Mr Dick said 124 health department officers were on hand to follow up complaints, but the main message to smokers was that if they want to quit, help was available.
"It's not necessarily about the hard stick of the law - it's about changing cultural behaviours and attitudes," he said.
