Why Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Dakore Egbuson Have Vowed To Stop Smoking In Films

Nollywood stars Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Dakore Egbuson have promised to stop making smoking scenes in films because of its effects on children.

The development is contained in a statement released on Monday in Abuja and signed by Esther Aghotor, the Creative Director of the #SmokeFreeNollywood initiative.

Enlightening the public on the purpose of the initiative, Aghotor stated that the move was vital in safeguarding the morality of the children in the country.

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde/Image Source: Instagram

She disclosed that the decision of the Nollywood heavyweights to stop smoking in films was part of activities to commemorate the 2021 World Tobacco Day.

Her words, "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.

Dakore Egbuson/Image Source: Instagram

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."

Speaking further, she added that statistics show that about 370,000 children in Nigeria smoke on a daily basis.

"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."

According to Aghotor, the celebrities joined forces with the SmokeFreeNollywood campaign backed by Washington DC, US-based Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) in conjunction with public strategy firm, Gatefield, in celebration of the World No Tobacco Day 2021.