The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has announced the approval of new regulations to prohibit the display of smoking, money rituals, and ritual killings in Nollywood movies.
Jerrymusa.com reports that the Executive Director of NFVCB, Adedayo Thomas Husseini, made the announcement at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Wednesday.
The event, organized by NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), brought together movie producers, directors, actors, and leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry.
Nollywood Industrial Revolution
Husseini emphasized the need for bold and ambitious actions from all stakeholders to address the industry emergency.
The new regulations, approved by the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, pursuant to section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004, aim to further sanitize the film industry.
The regulations prohibit the promotion and glamorization of smoking, tobacco products, and nicotine products in movies, musical videos, and skits.
Husseini highlighted the dangers of smoking and its negative influence on teens and young adults, who constitute the largest segment of Nigeria’s movie viewers.
The NFVCB plans to undertake detailed enlightenment programs in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups, and other institutions to promote smoke-free movies and positive health messages.
The Board seeks collaboration with stakeholders to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes healthy lifestyles.
The new regulations are a subsidiary legislation to cater for smoking in movies, which was not expressly spelt out in the extant Law.
The NFVCB is prepared to take leadership in this regard and has planned innovative ways to achieve its mandate.