Lagos Directs Nightclubs, Bars, Lounges to Create Designated Smoking Areas

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Owners of nightclubs, lounges and bars in Lagos State have been directed to henceforth create designated smoking areas or risk being sanctioned.

This directive was given by the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC) and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) at a safety workshop organised for stakeholders in the hospitality sector in the metropolis.

The Director-General of LSC, Mr Lanre Mojola, at the event themed Establishing a Safety Culture in the Night Life Sector in Lagos State, said the government will be very tough with the indoor smoking policy for the safety of other fun-seekers.

Addressing participants at the seminar, Mr Mojola said it was high time Nigerians started to comply with rules and regulations as it relates to international best practices.

He maintained that in every hotel, there should be a designated place for smoking cigarettes, but not at a public place where everyone is relaxing and enjoying themselves.

The LSC chief noted that though quality service delivery in the hospitality sector in Nigeria was inconsistent with issues such as poor customer service, lack of trained personnel and substandard facilities, with proper monitoring by relevant agencies and adequate safety precautions, the challenges would reduce drastically.

He emphasised that henceforth, indoor smoking at night clubs would be enforced, saying this would “ensure that all of us have designated places for smoking in our facilities, or else the full wrath of the law would be on us.”

“There is no doubt that Lagos State will enforce indoor smoking at night clubs, bars and lounges because it is high time we did our business as the law stipulates but not as we want it to be done, especially in Lagos State where safety and health of all the citizens is of utmost concern of the [Mr Babajide] Sanwo-Olu-led administration,” he said.

On his part, the General Manager of LASEPA, Mr Tunde Ajayi, corroborated the LSC boss, affirming the enforcement of indoor smoking at nightclubs, bars and lounges in the state.

He maintained that it would no longer be business as usual, charging the stakeholders to adhere to the regulations of the state government.