FG To Enforce ₦50,000 Fine For Public Smoking

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, has launched a ‘Clean Air Campaign’ which ban smoking in public places including motor parks, shopping malls and health care centres.

In a communiqué, the ministry said according to Section 9 of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Act 2015, once convicted, offenders are liable to a fine of at least N50, 000 and/or six months’ imprisonment.

The Ministry of Health in its ‘Clean Air Campaign’,  said the law would henceforth be taken seriously in order to protect and promote the citizens’ right to health, life, physical integrity and safety.

According to Punch, the campaign is also supported by the Cancer Society of Nigeria, World Health Organisation, ONE Campaign, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Civil Society Organisations and the Tobacco Free Kids based in Washington DC, United States.