Anybody who smokes in public in Ekiti State now risks going to prison for three months with the inauguration of Smoke-Free Law Enforcement Committee.
The Committee which is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr. Bolanle Fakunle, was inaugurated on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The Anti-Smoking Enforcement Panel was to give legal teeth to the prohibition of smoking in public places law passed by the House of Assembly on September 26, 2012 and signed by former Governor Kayode Fayemi on December 31 of the same year.
Security agencies like the Police, Civil Defence Corps and Environmental Health Officers have been empowered by law to arrest culprits and ensure that they are brought to justice.
The advocacy was driven by a non-governmental organization based in Ado-Ekiti, the New Initiative for Social
Delivering his address at the occasion, the Executive Director of NISD, Mr. Abiodun Oyeleye, explained that the tobacco epidemic has adverse impact on public health of developing countries including Nigeria.
Oyeleye explained that awareness has been created among various stakeholders such as religious and political leaders, hoteliers associations, drivers’ unions, youths, women, senior government officials and ministries, departments and agencies.