Smoke in children’s presence, pay N15,000 fine – LASG

Governor Babatunde Fashola
| credits: File copy

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has signed a bill prohibiting smoking in public places into law.

According to the new law, smoking in front of a person who is below the age of 18 will attract a fine of N15, 000.

The law further states that first time offenders risk N10,000 fine and one to three months imprisonment while second offenders may be fined up to N50, 000 and get up to six months imprisonment.

The law, which was brought before the governor by the House of Assembly, was signed into law on Monday.

The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, while explaining the provision of the new law, said the Assembly took cognisance of the dangers posed by public smoking before it outlawed it in the interests of the general public.

Ipaye said, “All of those areas that had been designated as no- smoking areas have been incorporated by this law. “They are museums, public toilets, libraries, nurseries, day care centres and any facilities used for the care of infants.

“Others are public telephone kiosks, public transport vehicles, private vehicles where there are more than one person, school buses, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, amusement parks, exhibition halls, conference centres, factories and other premises in which more than one person works and areas used as places of work including the secretariat.”

The commissioner explained that the new law allowed the owner of a public facility to designate smoking areas which must not be more than 10 per cent of the entire size of the place and must ensure that the smoking area was properly ventilated.

He said, “The owners also have the duty to stop smokers from infringing on the rights of the non-smokers because the owners could be criminally liable for not stopping smoking in its facility.

“Law enforcement officers, by this bill, could enter and inspect the premises. The penalties are provided for in Section Seven.

“Owners of facilities who fail to prohibit smoking or provide smoking site may be fined up to N100,000 or six months imprisonment or both. If the owner of the facility is a company, the fine could go up to N200, 000 and if the offences persist, it could lead to the facility being sealed off.

 “Smoking before a minor below 18 could attract a fine of N15, 000. Aside from other law enforcement agencies, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the provisions of the law.”

 A bill prohibiting hoax calls and giving emergency control centres false information was also signed into law.

The offence attracts a fine of N500,000 or three years imprisonment.