Lagos Assembly bans 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 bill was initiated by Mr Gbolahan Yishawu (APC-Eti-Osa II).

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

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

The bill also provided that any person who contradicted 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.