Lagos Assembly Passes Bill Banning Smoking In Public Places

The Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) on Monday passed a law prohibiting smoking in public places in the state.

The bill is for a law to provide for the regulation of smoking in designated places in Lagos State and for connected purposes.

Some of the designated public places by the bill include public toilets, tertiary institutions, public transportation vehicles, shopping centres, stadia and restaurants.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill is initiated by Mr Gbolahan Yishawu (APC-Eti-Osa II).

It provides that any person who contradicts the provision of the legislation shall be liable to one year imprisonment or option of fine not less than N15,000.

It also stipulates that any person involved with the management of public place should put a ‘No-Smoking’ sign in conspicuous areas.

The bill also provides that any person who contradicts the section of the legislation shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine of N100,000 or six months imprisonment.

“It shall be an offence to smoke in the presence of a child under 18 years or expose the child to any form of injurious smoke,” the bill said.