Omah Lay Smoking Struggle: Singer Opens Up About Failed Attempts To Quit
Nigerian Afrobeats star Omah Lay has spoken candidly about his long struggle to quit smoking, revealing that after several unsuccessful attempts, he has decided to stop forcing himself to give up the habit entirely.
The singer, whose real name is Omah Stanley Didia, made the disclosure during a recent podcast interview with DJ Dan. Reflecting on his relationship with cigarettes and cannabis, the “Soso” crooner admitted that despite genuine efforts to stop, he has repeatedly found himself unable to maintain the decision. “I can’t even lie, I love smoking a lot, but I want, I try to stop. I want to stop. I fought myself,” he said, describing the internal conflict that has accompanied his attempts to change the habit.
Rather than continuing to pressure himself, Omah Lay explained that he has now adopted a more accepting approach to his relationship with smoking, saying he no longer wants to place excessive strain on himself in pursuit of quitting. He framed his current outlook around the idea that life is finite regardless of the choices he makes, telling DJ Dan that he has come to terms with being a smoker rather than continuing to fight against it.
The singer also touched on the broader legal and social context surrounding cannabis use in Nigeria, where recreational use of the substance remains illegal. He said the criminalisation of cannabis can leave young Nigerians who use it feeling stigmatised, as though they are criminals for a personal choice. According to Omah Lay, part of what draws him to smoking is a mix of comfort and defiance tied to its illegal status in the country, describing the feeling it gives him as a kind of “artificial happiness.”
The singer’s latest comments add to a pattern of public reflection on his relationship with smoking over the past year. He had previously disclosed that his use of cigarettes and cannabis was connected to a period of depression, describing it at the time as a coping mechanism during a difficult phase in his life. He also revealed at one point that he had briefly managed to quit altogether, saying the decision made him feel healthier, though he later spoke about health complications, including problems with his eyesight, which he linked to years of heavy smoking.
Omah Lay’s openness about his struggles has consistently drawn mixed reactions from fans and observers, with some commending him for his honesty in publicly discussing a sensitive personal habit, while others have expressed concern about the long-term health implications of continued smoking. For now, the singer says his focus is less on forcing behavioural change and more on finding a sense of peace and contentment in his day-to-day life, even as he continues to navigate public scrutiny over his choices.
As of the time of filing, Omah Lay had not indicated any renewed plans to attempt quitting again, with his latest comments suggesting he intends to continue living according to his own terms without external pressure to change.
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