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MINISTER of Health Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has warned that popularity or celebrity status does not grant immunity from the country’s strict laws prohibiting the promotion of tobacco and vaping products.
The caution comes in the wake of a Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court decision fining comedian and entrepreneur Shuib Sepahtu RM10,000 for promoting e-cigarettes on his podcast, Dol’s Podcast, two years ago.
“The law is absolute,” Dr Dzulkefly said in a Facebook post. “The prohibition on advertising, promoting, or sponsoring tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vape, applies to everyone without exception, whether you are a celebrity, influencer, or business owner.”
He stressed that legal action is considered a last resort, used only when warnings are ignored. “All influencers and digital content creators must play a part as part of the solution in addressing smoking and vaping issues, rather than contributing to the normalisation of smoking culture in society,” he added.
Dr Dzulkefly described the court ruling as an important legal precedent under the Control of Tobacco Product for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
“It sends a clear and decisive message: the ban on advertising, promotion, or sponsorship of tobacco and related products is absolute,” he said. “There are no exemptions for anyone, regardless of fame or social media influence.”
The Health Ministry has increasingly targeted high-profile figures in enforcement efforts, reflecting concerns about rising youth exposure to tobacco and vaping content online. The Shuib Sepahtu case reinforces the government’s commitment to ensuring that public health regulations apply equally to all sectors of society. - January 9, 2025
