A Brisbane man has become the first person charged under a new Tasmanian law which bans protests close to abortion clinics.

The lone protestor, Graham Preston, was arrested after holding two placards and handing out leaflets while standing outside an abortion clinic in central Hobart.

The 58-year-old says he has been arrested for similar action in Brisbane and came to Hobart to promote the right-to-life message.

Preston said he was aware of the new Tasmanian law which prohibits such protests within 150 metres of an abortion clinic.

"It would seem to me to be incredible if somebody could get arrested for promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Australia is a signatory to it," he said.

Police charged Preston under the Reproductive Health Act. He was released on bail and will appear in court at a later date.