Anti smoking bill is now fully effective in Lagos.

Governor Babatunde Fashola has signed a bill banning smoking in public places in Lagos State into law. With the signing of the bill into law today, nobody can smoke in public places such as libraries, museum, public toilets, schools, hospital, day-care centres, public transportation, restaurants among others.

The Lagos State House of Assembly had recently passed a bill banning smoking in public places and placed fine of N10,000, three months imprisonment or both for first offenders. Section 12 of the 16-section law that was passed to the state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, for assent, also instructs 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.

Section 4 of the law says that it shall be the duty of those who own or occupy public places to ensure that approved signs are displayed conspicuously at each entrance and in prominent locations throughout the premises to inform smokers about the
prohibition. In such public places, the owners are mandated by the law to create areas where people could smoke but that it should not be close to the vicinity. Any person who repeatedly violates the provisions of the law shall on conviction be liable to a fine of
N50,000 or six months imprisonment or both. For non-compliance by owners of public places, the law states that such offenders shall be fined N100,000 or six months imprisonment or other non custodial punishment that the judge may deem fit.

The law further states that any person who smokes in the presence of a child commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N15,000 or one month imprisonment term. Where the offence of refusal to place the sign or symbol is committed by a corporate body, the director, manager, company secretary or any person concerned in the management of the affairs of the corporate body  ould be liable. In this case, he would be fined the sum of N250,000 upon conviction.