Nollywood celebrities, producers, others pledge to stop smoking scenes in movies

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

To commemorate 2021 World tobacco day, high profile Nollywood celebrities, producers, directors, actresses and actors have pledged to stop smoking scenes from movies because of its effects on children.
A statement signed and issued yesterday in Abuja by the Creative Director, #SmokeFreeNollywood,Esther Aghotor, said that the campaign became imperative to safeguard the morality of the nation’s children.
The statement noted that Nollywood artistes resolution to be part of the activities to commemorate the 2021 World tobacco day was necessary.
“Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Osas Ighodaro among other Nigerian actors and actresses have pledged to stop the promotion of smoking scenes in movies.
“The celebrities teamed up in the #SmokeFreeNollywood campaign backed by Washington DC-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in collaboration with public strategy firm, Gatefield.
“Other celebrities who joined in the campaign are: Meg Otanwa (Actress), Michelle Dede (Actress), Kayode Kasum (Film Director, Sugar Rush), Daniel Effiong, (Actor), Linda Ejiofor (Actress), Kiki Omeili (Actress), and Imoh Emmanuel Chimezie (Actor) and others,” Aghotor said.
While quoting the World Health Organisation’s statistics, she said about 370,000 children in Nigeria smoke daily.
“Research shows that a significant percentage of current adult smokers were influenced by movies.
“37 percent of these smokers started smoking as children due to the influence of movies that are created,” she said.
She added that the celebrities joined forces with the SmokeFreeNollywood campaign backed by Washington DC, US based Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) in collaboration with public strategy firm, Gatefield, in celebration of the World No Tobacco Day 2021.