NIGERIA (Abuja)-The Nigerian Medical Association on Wednesday called on governments at all levels to implement laws against smoking in public places.

This is contained in a statement issued by the NMA President, Dr Osahon Enabulele, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

The statement said Enabulele made the call on Monday while commending the Lagos State Government for signing into law a bill prohibiting smoking in public places.

“The association commends this bold effort by the Lagos Sate House of Assembly in striving to protect public health, promoting public decency and safe guarding the health and morality of children in Lagos State.

“NMA calls on governments at all levels to emulate the Lagos State Government by giving teeth to public concerns on the dangers of cigarette smoking,’’ it said.

NAN reports that the bill which was passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly on Januarry 20, seeks to ban cigarette smoking in public toilets, tertiary institutions, public transportation vehicles, shopping centres, stadia, and restaurants.

The law also compels management of public places to conspicuously display “No Smoking” signs at appropriate positions within their premises, and criminalise smoking before minors.