EXO Baekhyun's Smoking Controversy in Macau Restaurant Apology

Sep.18.2024
EXO Baekhyun's Smoking Controversy in Macau Restaurant Apology
EXO's Baekhyun sparks controversy for smoking in a Macao restaurant, leading to a public apology from his agency.

According to a report by CNA Lifestyle on September 18th, Baekhyun, a member of the famous South Korean boy group EXO, sparked controversy after being photographed smoking in a restaurant in Macau, China.

EXO Baekhyun's Smoking Controversy in Macau Restaurant Apology
The video of Byun Baekhyun smoking an e-cigarette inside a restaurant in Macau was exposed on X. | Image source: X.


On September 16th, a video was exposed on X showing EXO's Baekhyun smoking an e-cigarette inside a restaurant in Macau, China. In the video, Baekhyun was seen smoking in a corner while chatting with several individuals who appeared to be staff members.

EXO Baekhyun's Smoking Controversy in Macau Restaurant Apology
SM Entertainment, the agency representing Byun Baekhyun, released an apology statement. Image source: X


According to the laws of Macau, individuals are not allowed to bring e-cigarettes into the territory and smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas except for designated smoking rooms.


On September 16th, the management company INB100, representing Byun Baekhyun, issued a public apology statement through its social media. The company explained that the video was filmed after his concert in Macau in June this year, and that neither he nor the staff were aware of the prohibition of e-cigarettes in Macau, China.


The statement reads as follows:


Hello, I am INB100.


We apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable about the recent controversy involving our artist, Baekhyun, smoking indoors.


At the time, Baekhyun and our staff were completely unaware that smoking e-cigarettes was prohibited in Macau. After Baekhyun and the staff finished their performance in Macau, they went out for dinner. As the conversation unfolded, Baekhyun unintentionally smoked an e-cigarette.


Due to his careless actions, Baekhyun deeply apologizes for disappointing many fans.


Baekhyun and our company will be more vigilant to ensure that such incidents do not happen again, and pledge not to disappoint fans in the future. We will also strive to behave in a more mature manner.


We once again express our sincere apologies for any concerns and discomfort we may have caused you.


We are truly sorry.


A few months ago, Blackpink member Jennie faced criticism after being photographed using an e-cigarette indoors.


According to reports, Byun Baekhyun debuted as a member of the South Korean boy group EXO in 2012 and has been very popular since his debut. EXO is divided into two sub-units, EXO-K and EXO-M, which promote in South Korea and China respectively. Wu Yifan (Kris), Lu Han, and Huang Zitao (Tao) were former members of EXO-M but left the group later due to personal reasons.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Special Report|AIR H1 Revenue Rises 3.7% as Shisha Volumes Fall 9%, Testing Its Shift Beyond Traditional Hookah
Special Report|AIR H1 Revenue Rises 3.7% as Shisha Volumes Fall 9%, Testing Its Shift Beyond Traditional Hookah
AIR’s first half-year results as a listed company offer a new test of how far a traditional hookah business can transform. H1 2026 revenue rose 3.7%, even as Flavored Shisha Molasses shipments fell 9%, with pricing and mix supporting growth. Traditional shisha still generates almost all revenue, while OOKA, Crown Switch, Greentank and U.S. regulatory spending point to accelerating diversification. The next test is whether those investments can become a second business of meaningful scale and profitability.
Capital Markets
Aug.21
China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins
China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins
The Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute of China National Tobacco Corporation has filed a patent application for an end-to-end method to analyze the migration and transformation of chemical compounds in heated tobacco products. Using GC-Orbitrap/MS non-targeted analysis, the method compares tobacco substrate and aerosol samples to distinguish compounds transferred directly from the substrate from those newly formed during heating, while also calculating transfer rates. In an example involving nine heated tobacco products, the patent identified 17 newly formed thermal decomposition compounds and 38 transferred compounds.
Aug.13
Nicotine Pouches Gain Ground in U.S. Convenience Stores as Vape Unit Sales Fall 14%
Nicotine Pouches Gain Ground in U.S. Convenience Stores as Vape Unit Sales Fall 14%
According to convenience retail publication CStore Decisions, U.S. convenience store tobacco categories are undergoing a structural shift. Based on Circana OmniMarket Total U.S. Convenience data for the 52 weeks ending June 14, 2026, cigarettes remained the largest category with $50.8 billion in sales, but unit sales declined 5.3%. Electronic smoking devices and vaping products also declined, while modern oral nicotine products continued to grow, with nicotine pouch sales rising 29% in dollars and 17% in units. Retailers said changing consumer preferences are reshaping tobacco product assortments at convenience stores.
Regulations
Aug.07
Major U.S.  Vape Distributor Demand Vape Pays at Least $300,000 for White House Lobbying Amid Enforcement Pressure
Major U.S. Vape Distributor Demand Vape Pays at Least $300,000 for White House Lobbying Amid Enforcement Pressure
New York vape distributor Ecto World, which operates as Demand Vape, hired political consultant Roger Stone to lobby the Executive Office of the President on regulation of vaping and related products while facing state enforcement and multiple lawsuits. Public lobbying disclosures show that Ecto World paid at least $300,000 for the work through June 30, 2026. Separately, New York State announced in March that more than 28,500 pounds of vaping products tied to the company had been seized, while New York City and the state have pursued legal or enforcement actions. Public records do not show that the lobbying directly changed any specific regulatory or enforcement outcome.
Sep.08
Product | PMI Japan Expands ZYN by IQOS Strength Portfolio With Strong Series, Increasing Lineup to 12 Products
Product | PMI Japan Expands ZYN by IQOS Strength Portfolio With Strong Series, Increasing Lineup to 12 Products
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) has expanded the ZYN by IQOS oral tobacco pouch portfolio in Japan with four new ZYN Strong products, adding a third intensity level alongside the existing Low and Medium ranges. The Strong series first entered selected duty-free channels in Japan on July 1, 2026, before expanding to IQOS stores, the ZYN Online Store and selected tobacco retailers from August 18. The expansion increases the Japanese ZYN by IQOS lineup from eight to 12 products.
Aug.20
Ohio Supreme Court Weighs Whether State Consumer Law Can Restrict Flavored Vape Sales
Ohio Supreme Court Weighs Whether State Consumer Law Can Restrict Flavored Vape Sales
The Ohio Supreme Court is hearing a case involving flavored vape sales and whether state authorities can use consumer protection laws to take action against retailers selling unauthorized vape products. Ohio officials argue that selling unauthorized flavored vapes may constitute consumer deception, while retailers argue that tobacco product regulation falls under federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority and that states cannot impose additional restrictions through consumer laws. The case could affect the scope of state-level vape regulation across the United States.
Aug.06