Those who smoke in non-smoking designated areas, will henceforth pay N50,000 fine or get six months imprisonment or both, if the new Tobacco Control Bill 2014, which is being forwarded to the National Assembly eventually sails through.

Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health disclosed this Wednesday when he spoke on the Bill.  He was addressing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The FEC has given its approval to the Draft Tobacco Control Bill 2014, said the Minister, who also disclosed that companies that infringe on the Bill when passed into law, would pay between N1 million and N5 million fine and their chief executive could additionally be imprisoned for one or two years.

Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu maintained: “The major ingredients of the Bill is that there are stiff penalties for individuals.  For instance individuals who run foul of what will eventually become the National Tobacco Control Act 2014, may pay a fine of N50,000.  That is, for someone who goes to a place clearly designated non-smoking area.  The judge could either give you an option or combine it with imprisonment up to six months.

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