Lagos State Government last year penalised 580 nightclubs and restaurants for breaching indoor smoking regulations, as part of its drive to promote public health and enforce safety standards.
Director General of Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), Mr. Lanre Mojola, disclosed this during the 2025 Ministerial News Briefing held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
He said LSSC, the only safety commission in Nigeria, visited 2,024 public places last year, out of which 580 establishments were sanctioned for indoor smoking infractions.
Mojola said while certain facilities such as nightclubs might permit smoking, it must be restricted to designated areas.
He said indiscriminate smoking in public spaces such as buses remained illegal and urged residents to report such acts.
“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. This is a serious public health matter,” Mojola added.
He noted that LSSC launched an anti-indoor smoking campaign in 2024 to sensitise the public on the risks of second-hand smoking, which, he said, could lead to cancer and other serious health conditions.
Addressing questions on the use of consultants by the commission, Mojola said they were engaged to support the agency’s work due to limited staffing.
Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, outlined the key achievements of LSSC in the past year.
He announced the completion of Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan (2021–2026), developed in collaboration with government agencies, professional bodies and private stakeholders.
He said the commission finalised the drafting of a safety roadmap for 2023 to 2026, alongside a comprehensive review of over 40 safety documents guiding socio-economic sectors, including construction, manufacturing, event centres, markets, oil and gas, and waterways.
