Govt sanctions 580 nightclubs, restaurants over public smoking
The Lagos State Government has penalised 580 nightclubs and restaurants for breaching indoor smoking regulations in 2024, as part of its drive to promote public health and enforce safety standards across the state.
The Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, said this during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
He said the commission visited a total of 2,024 public places last year, out of which 580 establishments were sanctioned for indoor smoking infractions.
“Public smoking is not allowed, and there’s a bill already in place to prohibit it. People are permitted to smoke only in designated areas within certain venues. If you see people smoking in buses or enclosed spaces, report them immediately. This is a serious public health matter,” he said.
He noted that the commission launched an anti-indoor smoking campaign in 2024 to sensitise the public on the risks of second-hand smoke, which he said could lead to cancer and other serious health conditions.
“We need the media to help push the message that indoor smoking is not allowed. Our campaign is simple — ‘See it. Say it. Sort it,’” Mojola said.
Addressing questions on the use of consultants by the commission, Mojola explained that they were engaged to support the agency’s work due to limited staffing.
He, however, acknowledged that some consultants had engaged in unwholesome practices.
“We have bad eggs among them. Four of them have already been sentenced for illegal activities. But as Lagos grows, we must find ways to manage capacity gaps,” he said.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, outlined the key achievements of the Commission in the past year.
Oyerinde stated that the commission carried out extensive safety audits across thousands of construction sites, financial institutions, and manufacturing plants.
