Siti Nurhaliza called out by Public Health Malaysia, apologises for promoting nicotine patches

Malaysian singer and icon Siti Nurhaliza has apologised to netizens for promoting nicotine pouches on social media.

In an Instagram story, the pop queen admitted to not doing enough research into the product before promoting it to her followers. Siti said she has since deleted the post and expressed her gratitude to those who have given her advice regarding the issue. 

In the now-deleted post, Siti featured the nicotine pouches with a caption encouraging her followers to try the product if they were having difficulty quitting smoking.

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She later tagged her stepson Aazief Khalid, who founded the business, and claimed that it was a good product. 

Following her post, Public Health Malaysia took to X to request Siti to stop the promotion of the product. Public Health Malaysia claimed that Siti's promotion of the product will normalise the use of nicotine, adding that nicotine has addictive elements that can negatively impact the lungs and nervous system. 

In addition, Public Health Malaysia said that Siti's promotion of the product will encourage young fans to try the product, this is especially since Siti is seen as an inspiration to many in Malaysia. Public Health Malaysia also explained that the nicotine pouches being promoted goes against the laws as it is not registered for treating nicotine addiction. 

Finally, Public Health Malaysia stated that the promotion of nicotine products is in violation of the smoking product control for public health act 2024 (Act 852). 

"As an influential personality, every word and action has significant impact. We hope this reminder is accepted with an open heart and that Siti Nurhaliza can immediately remove the promotion of the product," said Public Health Malaysia. 

This isn't the first time Siti was caught in controversy. Last year, netizens expressed disappointment in the Malaysian singer for performing at Canadian composer David Foster's concert in Jakarta. The concert, titled "Hitman returns: David Foster & friends" saw other artists such as Katherine McPhee, Brian McKnight, Rossa and Afgan present. 

Prior to the concert, netizens had left comments on Siti's Instagram page pointing out that Foster is an Israel supporter and contradicts Siti's support for Palestine, while another asked her not to do anything that destroys her success and business. Another user commented how Malaysians will be disappointed with her if she goes through with the concert. The same user questioned if the musician really cares for Palestine.

On the day of the concert, BDS Malaysia released a statement expressing their disappointment in the musician too. "Dato Sri Nurhaliza's decision to participate in the show organised by David Foster is very disappointing," said BDS Malaysia.

"BDS Malaysia hopes that all parties, whether artists, business, people, athletes, the government and ordinary people, show a more sensitive attitude towards the misery that has been experienced by the Palestinian people since 1948," it added.

After the concert, words that were associated to the singer shifted from 'Palestine', 'tribute' and 'abundant' to 'hypocrite', 'zionists' and 'Israel', according to media intelligence firm CARMA. 

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