Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN has commended the Lagos State government over the passage of a law prohibiting smoking in public places by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
In a press statement, the group said the action reflects the genuine yearnings of Lagos citizens for a healthy and safe environment.
It said: “The bill, which scaled through the third reading was passed by the lawmakers last Monday. It prohibits anybody smoking in all public places including libraries, museum, public toilets, schools, hospital, day care centres, public transportation and restaurants, among others, and states that 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.
“Under the law, any person who repeatedly violates the provisions shall on conviction be liable to a fine of N50,000 or six-month imprisonment or both, while any person, who smokes in the presence of a child shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N15,000 or imprisonment for a month or both. It is also illegal for individuals under the age of 18 to buy or sell cigarettes and other tobacco products.
The bill is now waiting for the signature of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.
“is timely, life-saving and represents a bold step that other states of the federation should take a cue from to save Nigerians from the assault of the tobacco industry”.
ERA/FoEN Director, Corporate Accountability & Administration, Akinbode Oluwafemi said: “This is a good start. Our robust and sustained engagement with the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Ministry of Health to get the bill passed has paid off well. It is our strong conviction that passing the bill is a major step towards finally putting in place a comprehensive law that prioritises public health over illicit profits”.
“This development is particularly heartwarming to Lagosians whose children have been the target of British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) through subtle marketing and secret smoking parties. It is our firm belief that when Governor Fashola appends his signature, the law will check the clandestine attempt by BATN to make Lagos the corporate headquarters of its deadly merchandise”.
Oluwafemi went on to add that the National Assembly should take a cue from the Lagos State House of Assembly by passing the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB) into law to ensure uniform laws that will nip the gale of deaths that tobacco products have unleashed on Nigerians.
“We are in solidarity with the Lagos House of Assembly in urging Governor Fashola to quickly assent to this life-saving bill. The House must also halt BATN plans to build its four million pound headquarters in Lagos. Lagosians totally reject this Greek gift which will only bring death and destruction,” Oluwafemi insisted.