By peterside Rejoice Eneky
The Lagos State Government has taken firm action against 580 nightclubs and restaurants for violating indoor smoking regulations, underscoring its commitment to public health and safety. This was disclosed by Mr. Lanre Mojola, Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), during the 2025 Ministerial News Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
According to Mojola, the sanctions were issued after a comprehensive inspection exercise conducted in 2024. The LSSC visited a total of 2,024 public establishments, with 580 found guilty of breaching indoor smoking laws.
“While smoking may be allowed in specific areas within nightclubs or designated spaces, indiscriminate smoking in enclosed public areas is strictly prohibited,” Mojola emphasized. He warned that such practices endanger public health by exposing non-smokers to second-hand smoke, which is a proven contributor to cancer and other respiratory illnesses.
The Director General further stated that public smoking in vehicles such as buses remains illegal and urged Lagos residents to report such violations. “There is already a bill prohibiting public smoking in non-designated areas. If you see people smoking in buses or other enclosed areas, report it. This is a serious public health issue,” he said.
Mojola noted that the Commission launched a statewide anti-indoor smoking campaign in 2024 to raise awareness about the dangers of second-hand smoke and the legal implications of non-compliance.
Addressing questions about the Commission’s operations, Mojola acknowledged that consultants were brought in to support the agency’s efforts due to limited staffing. “We engaged consultants to enhance our reach and improve compliance monitoring across the state,” he added.
Also speaking at the briefing, Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, highlighted other major strides by the LSSC. He announced the completion of the Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan (2021–2026), which was developed in collaboration with various stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
The Commissioner also revealed that a new safety roadmap covering 2023 to 2026 has been finalized. In addition, the LSSC reviewed and updated over 40 safety-related documents that guide operations in critical socio-economic sectors such as construction, manufacturing, event centres, markets, oil and gas, and waterways.
These initiatives, Oyerinde said, are part of the state’s broader commitment to fostering a culture of safety and ensuring compliance with health regulations across all sectors of Lagos’ economy.
The Lagos State Government’s aggressive push against indoor smoking is seen as a bold move to reduce public health risks and promote a cleaner, healthier environment for all residents.
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