“I Smoked for 27 Years, Started at 13” — Tonto Dikeh Opens Up on Past Struggles

Nollywood actress and philanthropist Tonto Dikeh has revealed that she smoked cigarettes for 27 years, starting from the age of 13, as she opened up about her past struggles in an emotional public testimony.

The actress shared her story during a church service at Streams of Joy International Church, where she spoke candidly about battles with smoking, alcohol, anger, and other personal challenges that shaped much of her early life.

According to Dikeh, her smoking habit began at home due to early exposure, explaining that she grew up in an environment where smoking was normalized. What started as curiosity in her teenage years eventually became a long-term addiction that followed her into adulthood.

“I started smoking at 13 and smoked for 27 years,” she told the congregation, adding that quitting seemed impossible at several points in her life.

Beyond smoking, the actress also admitted to struggling with alcohol use, emotional instability, and other habits she said negatively affected her peace and relationships. She explained that for a long time, she avoided speaking publicly about these issues because of fear of damaging her public image.

However, Dikeh said a turning point came through her renewed commitment to faith, which she credits for her transformation and freedom from addiction. She described experiencing what she believes was spiritual healing after attending a prayer programme, stating that she no longer has cravings for cigarettes or alcohol.

The 40-year-old actress used the opportunity to encourage parents to be mindful of the habits children are exposed to at home, stressing that early influences can have lifelong consequences.

Her testimony has since sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many praising her honesty and courage, while others described her story as inspiring and relatable.

Tonto Dikeh remains one of Nollywood’s most talked-about personalities, known not only for her acting career but also for her outspoken nature and advocacy on social issues.