'Facts About The New Lagos State Smoking In Public Places Law'

Article sent in by Choices Nigeria.

There have been different views on the recently passed smoking law since it was signed by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola on 17^th of February 2014. 

We have now obtained a copy of the law and are surprised to read that contrary to what some people think, the law only becomes effective on the 17^th of August 2014, which is six months after the Governor signed. This means that even the police that have been harassing smokers are not aware of this. Incredibly, the law also allows for smoking in open places such as on the streets, roads and highways as wells as in 10% of hotels, bars, night clubs and tertiary institutions. It even goes further to state that the law will be enforced by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), meanwhile all manner of people have been harassing smokers, even LATSMA and Boys Scout.. Can our government ensure that the public are well informed about laws they pass to prevent undue harassment of its citizens.