Veteran dancehall DJ, Mr Lexx, has started an online campaign to prevent and dissuade smoking among users via the hashtag #stopsmokinnow on his Twitter on Thursday.

The ‘Ring Up Mi Cellie’ singer has been very vocal online about the detrimental consequences of smoking in the past few days, using his medical ordeal as an example of why ‘lighting up’ should be extinguished.

“To my friends who smoke. PLEASE STOP. To the people I don’t know find a way, find a reason but PLEASE STOP. #stopsmokingnow,” he tweeted.

The DJ also encouraged his followers and well-wishers to use the hashtag so the movement gains the requisite recognition online.

Mr Lexx, who shared that his years of smoking were a significant factor in his admission to hospital and subsequent surgery for a collapsed lung, had initially expressed concern for his friends who have harder smoking habits than himself a day prior.

“Now I’m scared for my friends who I know for a fact smoke harder Dan me,” he posted before magnifying the concerns into a burgeoning movement.

Mr Lexx has been in recovery since being rushed into surgery after collapsing during a performance on Monday.