Fashola Signs No Smoking Bill Into Law

The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde
Fashola has signed into law the No
Smoking in Public Places Bill.

Governor Fashola said, the law would
further strengthen the State
Government’s commitment towards
protecting lives of the citizens.

According to the law, people who
smoke in public places will risk a three
year jail term.

The bill prohibits smoking in areas
designated as non-smoking areas,
including museums, public toilets,
library, nurseries, day care centers
and any facility used for the care of
infants.

The law also mandates owners of
public places to place signs with the
inscription; ‘No Smoking’ or symbols as
part of enlightenment for smokers and
would-be violators of the law.

It also mandates them to create areas
far from the vicinity where people
could smoke. Non-compliance by
owners of public places, according to
the law shall attract a fine of 100, 000
Naira or 6 months imprisonment, or
other non-custodial punishment that
the judge may deem fit.

In the case of a corporate
organisation’s refusal to place a ‘No
Smoking’ sign or symbol within its
premises, any personnel in the
management of the corporate body
would be liable to a fine in the sum of
250, 000 Naira upon conviction.
This may be a director or manager in the
organisation.

According to the bill, anyone who
repeatedly violates the provisions of
the law, on conviction shall be liable to
a fine of 50, 000 Naira or 6 months
imprisonment or both. While anyone
who smokes in the presence of a child
shall be liable on conviction to a fine of
15, 000 Naira or 1 month
imprisonment.