Lagos to enforce ban on smoking August 17

The Lagos State Government has perfected all arrangements to enforce the ban on public smoking by August 17, 2014.
Speaking during the week, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Engineer Rasheed Shabi, disclosed that government was not going back on the enforcement of the law.
Shabi reiterated that government didn’t ban smoking in Lagos but banned smokers from smoking in public places.
“According to him: “We have engaged hoteliers and told them to create a place where smokers can smoke and such places must be well ventilated.
“Industries, event centres and others should carve out specific places where smokers can smoke but not in public places.
“We are the agency that will implement this law and will start on August 17.”
In view of the proposed enforcement date, LASEPA on Tuesday held a stakeholders meeting to sensitise people on the law banning smoking in all public places in the state.
The event, which took place at the Blue Roof of Lagos State Television, had a massive turn out of Lagos State Government functionaries, security personnels, students, royal fathers and several stake holders in attendance.
The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, in his key note address, said every one should join hands with the government in the promotion of regulation of smoking in the public places and ensure the well being of the people because the benefits of the law are unlimited.
“I urged all stakeholders to reach out and enlighten members of their family, friends and associates on the benefits of the law for a cleaner and healthy Lagos Mega City,” Fashola said.