Lagos Prohibits Smoking, Imposes N50, 000, N100,000, N250,000 Fines

The Lagos State Government on Monday formerly prohibited smoking in public places, making violators liable to a fine of N100,000 for owners of premises expected to be designated a ‘No Smoking Area’ and N250,000 for the Director, Manager, Partner and company secretary of such an establishment that fails to enforce compliance or be liable to jail for a period not exceeding six months.

Tagged a law to provide for the regulation of smoking in public places in Lagos state and for connected purposes, section 4(1) of the law provides that it shall be the duty of any person who owns, occupies or is in charge of the management of the premises of a ‘No Smoking Area’ to ensure that approved ‘No Smoking Signs’ are displayed conspicuously at each entrance and in prominent locations throughout the premises; and to cause a person smoking in a ‘No smoking Area’ to stop smoking and to ensure that all no smoking areas are fixed with smoke detectors.

Besides, the law provides that area designated ‘No Smoking’ must have good ventilation and where necessary be equipped with ventilating equipment and not compromise those in ‘No Smoking Area’.

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Under the law, an individual who smokes contrary to the law shall be liable to a fine not less than N10,000 and not exceeding N15,000 for first offender or be liable to jail of one or three months as would be deemed fit by the judge and N50,000 for repeated offender or six months imprisonment.