A SUNSHINE Coast bartender is concerned there is no legislation which allows her to refuse to serve a visibly pregnant woman.

A SUNSHINE Coast bartender is concerned there is no legislation which allows her to refuse to serve a visibly pregnant woman.

A SUNSHINE Coast bartender is concerned there is no legislation which allows her to refuse to serve a visibly pregnant woman.

The bartender, who wanted to remain anonymous, was confronted with the awkward situation on the weekend when a young mother-to-be came to the counter to purchase another glass of wine.

She was sitting in the smoking section with another woman and had already told another staff member she was six months pregnant.

"I was in shock as I've only been working in hospitality for about a year and had never had a pregnant patron ask for an alcoholic drink before," the bartender said.

"Other staff mentioned she comes in almost every day during the week."

The manager said it was a "moral judgment" as there were no grounds to refuse service.

The young bartender checked with the Responsible Serving of Alcohol website and found the only reason for refusing service was if a person was intoxicated.

The bartender questioned what the point of the "Responsible Service of Alcohol" certificate was if bartenders were forced to serve pregnant patrons despite the enormous amount of research highlighting the negative effects on unborn children.

"Should we not be given a choice whether we can serve them?" the bartender said.

"It makes the place selling the alcohol look bad when other people come in and see visibly pregnant women drinking in the smoking section."

Attorney General Jarrod Bleijie confirmed there is no legislation preventing pregnant women being served alcohol.

"The Liquor Act 1992 prohibits a person, on licensed premises, from supplying liquor to minors and disorderly or unduly intoxicated persons. The Liquor Act does not contain any provisions prohibiting the sale of liquor to persons who are pregnant," Mr Bleijie said.

However, he said the risks associated with drinking alcohol or smoking while pregnant were well documented.

"I would encourage pregnant women to consider the health of their unborn baby in all their activities and seek medical advice if there are any concerns," he said.