The FCT Minister, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar has charged all residents of the Federal Capital Territory to stop smoking in public places as from June or face the full wrath of the law.

The minister who gave this charge in Abuja yesterday said the ban would be effectively implemented as there was an existing enabling law that would cover the action of the FCT Administration.

  According to the minister  "Tobacco Smoking Control Act of 1990" will be exploited to ensure that the ban is effectively enforced.

  He maintained that the FCT Administration deliberately selected June 1, 2008 to coincide with the World Tobacco Day which is May 31 of every year.

"This Tobacco Control Act will be enforced fully in the 8,000 square kilometres of the Federal Capital Territory as smoking will longer be permitted in public places of the Territory," he emphasized.

He said that the Committee had already been inaugurated and would swing into action to ensure that no residents were caught unawares.

  Dr. Umar remarked that various programmes have been lined up towards this campaign and that he will personally flag it off on Saturday May 31, 2008 at the Eagle Square, Abuja.