Smoking and using tanning beds in Queensland are two unhealthy habits worth giving up on New Year's Day as new restrictions come into play.
More than 30 licensed salons have already disposed of tanning beds since the Queensland government flagged a state-wide ban on solariums. The ban begin from January 1, 2015.
"Queensland already has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world and there is no question there's a direct link between regular sunbed use and the incidence of malignant melanoma," acting Health Minister Mark McArdle said.
The health department has been arranging for the collection and disposal of unwanted commercial machines.
Smokers also face tougher restrictions from January 1 when it will become illegal to light up within five metres of school and hospital grounds.
Those who break the law will risk on-the-spot fines of at least $227.
The legislation will apply to all public hospitals and healthcare facilities, private hospitals and day hospitals.
On the roads, the state government has already implemented a two-year trial of minimum passing distances between cyclists and vehicles but a number of other changes will affect bike riders.
Cyclists will be allowed to ride across zebra or children's crossings, provided they come to a complete stop before doing so.
They will also have the freedom to shun bike lanes and ride on any part of single-lane roundabouts.
Within the field of education, principals will be handed stronger powers to deal with "hostile persons".
They will be able to ban a person from school grounds for 24 hours via an oral rather than written warning.
Year seven will also be defined as part of secondary education from 2015.
The Department of Natural Resources and Mines has introduced changes to outline new competency requirements for drilling rig workers under petroleum and gas regulations.
Provisions to enable 34 of Queensland's indigenous communities that own their land communally to convert to ordinary freehold land ownership will also become active.
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