Anti-tobacco group tells NBC to sanction BBNaija for public smoking

An anti-tobacco group, ‘The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, NTCA, and the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) have jointly written to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction the Big Brother Naija show.

The BBNaija show which has entered season 6 show ‘Shine Ya Eyes’, was accused of flouting the government’s directive on smoking.

The group insists action must be taken by the appropriate agency of government to sanction the show.

In a letter seen by DAILY POST, the anti-tobacco organization reminded the NBC of its directive to the organizers of the BBNaija show.

It said provisions of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 and the National Tobacco Control Regulations 2019, which banned the advertisement and promotion of tobacco have been breached.

Citing the specific section of the offenses, the group asserted: “Section 12(1) of the NTC Act 2015.”

The letter which was jointly signed by heads of both organizations, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, and NTCA Programme Manager, Chibuike Nwokorie, wants the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah to take prompt action.

They complained that the program was an enticing one and kids below age 18 are drawn to it, adding that the housemates were seen smoking cigarettes on August 2, 5, 10, 11 and 13.