The Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday January 20, 2014 passed a bill that prohibits smoking in all public places; schools, libraries, museum, public toilets, hospital, day care centres, public transportation and restaurants to mention a few. Meanwhile, posting of signs which states "no smoking," with a picture depicting a burning cigarette enclosed in a circle with a bar across, should be displayed in all "no smoking areas."

Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji stated that the bill has been sent to Governor Babatunde Fashola for assent. He also added that smoking in public places would attract penalties ranging from three month imprisonment to six month jail term.

The bill on no smoking in public places, also stated the penalties for smoking in a "no smoking area" will be N10,000 fine or imprisonment for a term not  less than one month and not exceeding three months or both.

Any person who repeatedly violates the provisions shall on conviction be liable to a fine of N50, 000 or six month imprisonment or both. Also, penalty for non compliance by owner/occupier of a "no smoking area" the offenders shall attract N100, 000 or 6 month imprisonment, or other non custodial punishment that the judge may deem fit.

It shall be an offence to obstruct a duly authorised officer from carrying out his duties under the provision of this law.

The law 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 imprisonment for a month or both.

Culled from Vanguard Newspapers!