Omah Lay says he tried to quit smoking several times but eventually stopped forcing himself to give up the habit.

The singer's comments have drawn attention because of the way he described his relationship with smoking and his decision to accept it.

Nigerian Afrobeats singer Omah Lay, whose real name is Omah Stanley Didia, reportedly made the comments during a recent podcast interview with DJ Dan, according to Daily Post.

The singer said he had repeatedly tried to stop smoking but struggled to maintain the decision. He explained that he had now chosen not to keep forcing himself to quit.

Omah Lay said smoking gives him what he described as “artificial happiness” and a sense of rebellion because cannabis is illegal in Nigeria.

“I love smoking a lot. I tried to stop, I forced myself but I can’t.”

He also said he believes life is short and that he wants to live his life on his own terms.

The comments are Omah Lay's personal views and should not be interpreted as medical evidence that smoking is safe. His remarks also come amid his continued artistic references to cannabis and altered states in his music.

Omah Lay's comments have opened another conversation about smoking, personal choice and the pressures surrounding artists and their lifestyles.