FG clarifies placing ban on smoking, rituals in films

Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director of the National Films and Video Censors Board, has clarified recent reports suggesting a ban on money rituals and smoking scenes in movies.

Contrary to widespread speculation, Husseini emphasized that the Board’s aim is not to stifle creativity but to ensure proper classification of films.

He highlighted that while there are regulations in place, particularly NFVCB Regulations 2024, they align with global standards and prohibit the promotion and glamourization of money rituals, ritual killing, tobacco, tobacco products, and nicotine products in movies, musical videos, and skits

“What I mentioned in a speech that I have shared here is the existence of a regulation (NFVCB Regulations 2024) that, in line with global best practices, prohibits the Promotion and glamourisation of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco product, Nicotine products in movies, musical videos and skits.

“The regulation aims at discouraging the ‘unnecessary’ depiction, promotion, advertisement, or glamourisation of tobacco or nicotine products in movies, musical videos, and skits.

“The regulation demands the display of a health warning for necessary smoking scenes that are required for historical accuracy or educational purposes and to depict a negative lifestyle in movies, musical videos, and skits.

”The required health warning shall be displayed at the commencement of the work and the end.”

He added, “Any movie, skit, or musical video that displays or depicts tobacco or nicotine products, brands, or use that is necessary to the realisation of a narrative shall be given the appropriate classification (rating) and shall not be shown to persons below the age of 18. So there is no truth in the ‘headlines’ (that went viral).”