PETALING JAYA: A recent Youth and Sports Ministry sports programme is under investigation over claims it was sponsored by a vape product company, says Adam Adli Abd Halim.
The Deputy Youth and Sports Minister clarified that the ministry’s policy disallows any companies associated with tobacco or vape products from being involved in any of its programmes.
"This matter is under investigation," he wrote in a reply on X (previously Twitter) to user @khairul_hafidz on Saturday (Jan 27).
Khairul’s original post claimed that Foodie Fütbol Fest 2024 was co-sponsored by a vape company as seen in an official promotional poster that went viral.
Among the event’s listed strategic partners was the Youth and Sports Ministry while the event was also said to be supported by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
The user tagged the respective ministers, Hannah Yeoh and Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, and asked: "I see two ministries are supporting and named as strategic partners with a vape company. Doesn’t this violate Section 9 of the Control of Tobacco Act (sic)?"
Khairul was referring to the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health 2023 Bill that was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 30, and prohibits any form of advertising, promotion or sponsorship involving vape products.
The three-day event, which began on Friday (Jan 26), includes food and beverage sales, sports competitions, lifestyle programmes, children's activities and even a small petting zoo.
