Can I smoke in a bar or car in Austria?
No — hospitality has been completely smoke-free since 1 November 2019. In all guest rooms and guest-accessible areas smoking is prohibited; only open-air spaces such as guest gardens are exempt. The ban also covers e-cigarettes, water pipes and heated-tobacco devices. An absolute ban also applies in schools, public buildings and public transport (train, bus, taxi, hire car). In a private car, smoking is banned whenever a person under 18 is on board. Open vehicles such as convertibles or carriages are exempt. In short: no — not at all in a bar, and not in a car carrying minors.
📋 The rules
- Hospitality: complete smoking ban since Nov 2019
- Also covers e-cigarettes and shisha
- Car: banned with a person under 18 on board
- Ban in public transport & taxis
- Exempt: guest gardens and open vehicles
🔓 Exceptions
- Open-air guest gardens remain smoking areas
- Tobacconists are not caught by the hospitality ban
- Convertibles and carriages are exempt from the vehicle ban
⚠️ Penalties & fines
An operator who tolerates smoking risks a fine of up to €2,000, and up to €10,000 on repeat. A smoking guest faces up to €100, and up to €1,000 on repeat. Smoking in a car with minors is likewise banned. Beware a myth: "a bar can run its own smoking room" is false — the former model with separate smoking rooms was abolished in 2019; all indoor spaces are now smoke-free. Tip: step into the guest garden to smoke, and remember the car ban as soon as children or teenagers are travelling with you.
📎 Official sources
- oesterreich.gv.at · smoking bans →
- Ministry of Health · non-smoker protection →
- WKO · FAQ hospitality smoking ban →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I still smoke in a restaurant?
No. Since 1 November 2019 a complete smoking ban applies across the hospitality sector in all guest rooms and guest-accessible areas. Only open-air spaces such as guest gardens are exempt. The ban also covers e-cigarettes, water pipes and heated-tobacco devices.
Are there still smoking rooms?
No. The former model with separate smoking rooms or areas in venues was abolished by the 2019 reform. All indoor hospitality spaces are now smoke-free without exception.
Can I smoke in a car?
In a private car, smoking is banned whenever a person under 18 is on board. In public transport such as train, bus, tram, taxi and hire car, smoking is generally prohibited. Open vehicles such as convertibles or carriages are exempt.
What does a breach cost?
An operator who tolerates smoking can be fined up to €2,000, and up to €10,000 on repeat. A smoking guest risks up to €100, and up to €1,000 on repeat.
Does the ban cover e-cigarettes?
Yes. The smoking ban in hospitality and in public transport applies not only to tobacco but expressly also to e-cigarettes, water pipes and heated-tobacco devices. So it makes no difference whether you smoke classic or electronic products.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “smoking ban bar austria”
- “smoking restaurant allowed austria”
- “smoking car children banned austria”
- “e-cigarette bar smoking ban”
- “smoking public transport fine austria”
- “hospitality smoking ban 2026”