Major players in the local movie scene dubbed Nollywood have vowed to end smoking scenes in movies moving forward.
The vow was made after a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that at least 370,000 children in Nigeria smoke daily and a significant percentage were influenced by movies.
“Thirty-seven percent of these smokers started smoking as children due to the influence of movies that are created,” the report by WHO started in part.
While shedding more light on the campaign, Esther Aghotor, creative director, #SmokeFreeNollywood, noted that this is the first time the Nigeria movie industry is participating in the campaign and pledged support beyond the commemoration of the day.
She said: “It is also a significant public health movement that is consistent with global pledges by companies like Netflix, Sony, and Universal among other.”
The campaigners for the no smoking scenes included; Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (actress and TIME 100 most influential persons in the world), Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Osas Ighodaro (actress, Oxfam and Amnesty International Ambassador), Anto Lecky (actress and Big Brother Nigeria star).
Others 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).
