Stop promoting smoking scenes in BBNaija show, ERA tells FG

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna Abuja

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, has tasked the federal government , Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, (NBC) to sanction Multi Choice, owners of DSTV and GoTV to stop promoting smoking scenes on the BBNaija show for it is unlawful .
The Deputy Executive Director of ERA, Akinbode Oluwafemi made the disclosure during a press briefing in Abuja, saying that the smoking in BBNaija has not only generated shock among Nigerians but also sparked calls for the BBNaija Show to be banned.
Oluwafemi who expressed disgust over the scenes called on the Federal Government to do something about BBNaija smoking scenes,
“Nigerians were shocked to the marrows on February 13, when smoking scenes were glamorized in the current Show of the Big Brother Naija2018 Show themed Double Wahala”.
He mentioned that “ in a clip in the particular edition, two housemates- Khloe and Teddy A are seen puffing away after Khloe had a very heated argument with fellow housemates.
The Deputy Director called on the government at all levels and the relevant agencies should begin enforcement of the nine key provisions of the NTC Act that prohibits smoking in public places and bans sale of cigarettes in single sticks among others. “Relevant agencies of government such as the Consumer Protection Council and the security services begin a clampdown on infractions.”
Consequently, Hilda Ochefu, Sub-regional co-ordinator of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (ERA/FoEN), explained that the smoking scenes were particularly disturbing as it was intended to demonstrate to the youth that cigarettes calm frayed nerves.
She stressed that the very disturbing trend has gone beyond the limits in offending the sensibilities of Nigerians who watch the series, many with their kids.
Meanwhile,Adewunmi Emoruwa of Gatefield, said that the smoking scenes not only glamourise smoking before kids that watch the show with their parents but also breach Nigeria’s laws, hence the need for the Nigerian government to beam its searchlight on the show.
“The Federal Ministry of Health should urgently send the draft Regulations to the National Assembly for approval and Relevant agencies of government such as the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the security services begin a clampdown on infractions, Emoruwa emphasized.