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

Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched the IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Ginza Limited Model Set in Tokyo on September 4, 2026, alongside the opening of IQOS Flagship Ginza, the brand’s first global flagship store. The Oasis Blue edition is limited to 1,814 individually numbered units, with the figure derived from the store’s address at Ginza 1-8-14. The set also includes two Yamanaka-nuri glasses and special packaging, priced at JPY 11,980 and sold exclusively at the Ginza flagship.
Sep.07
China Tobacco Zhejiang files patent for pressure-triggered, on-demand oral nicotine release
China Tobacco Zhejiang files patent for pressure-triggered, on-demand oral nicotine release
China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial Co., Ltd. has filed a patent application for an oral nicotine delivery product designed to let users actively adjust nicotine release. The product embeds two types of nicotine reservoirs with different wall thicknesses and positions inside a deformable matrix. Pressure applied with the tongue or lips can rupture the reservoirs and accelerate nicotine release. In simulated oral tests, several patent examples showed sharply higher peak nicotine release rates as applied force increased from 0 N to 1 N and 3 N. The filing explores a shift from preset release profiles toward user-triggered nicotine delivery.
Sep.01
Product | JNR Launches Shisha Hookah 70K E-Hookah With 60ml E-Liquid and 0.6% Nicotine
Product | JNR Launches Shisha Hookah 70K E-Hookah With 60ml E-Liquid and 0.6% Nicotine
JNR has introduced the Shisha Hookah 70K, a high-capacity rechargeable disposable vape designed around a hookah-inspired experience. The device comes prefilled with 60ml of e-liquid at 6mg/ml (0.6%) nicotine strength, alongside a 1,000mAh rechargeable battery and a 0.38Ω single mesh coil. It also features adjustable airflow and battery and e-liquid level displays. JNR claims the device can deliver up to 70,000 puffs and offers more than 20 flavors. Retail listings for the product have appeared in markets including Tunisia.
Market
Aug.24 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Product | Juul Labs Launches Upgraded JUUL2 Kit in UK With Four Pods at £9.99 and USB-C Charging
Product | Juul Labs Launches Upgraded JUUL2 Kit in UK With Four Pods at £9.99 and USB-C Charging
Juul Labs UK has introduced an upgraded JUUL2 Starter Kit for the UK market in October 2026, retaining a recommended retail price of £9.99 while doubling the number of included pods from two to four. The kit contains Crisp Menthol, Virginia Tobacco, Mango and Watermelon pods. The updated device replaces the previous proprietary charging dock with a USB-C port and offers longer battery life. The kit also features reduced packaging and retains a two-year limited warranty. Distribution is scheduled through major UK retailers, wholesalers, convenience stores and the JUUL UK website.
product
Oct.15
JTI’s Nordic Spirit Signs Co-op Live Partnership Ahead of New UK Nicotine Sponsorship Restrictions
JTI’s Nordic Spirit Signs Co-op Live Partnership Ahead of New UK Nicotine Sponsorship Restrictions
JTI nicotine pouch brand Nordic Spirit has entered a long-term partnership with Manchester’s Co-op Live, becoming the venue’s Official Nicotine Pouch Partner. The 23,500-capacity venue is the UK’s largest indoor live entertainment arena. Nordic Spirit will run in-venue activations for existing adult nicotine consumers and sell products at selected arena bars. The agreement was entered into before the relevant UK sponsorship restrictions were introduced, while the government intends to implement a comprehensive ban on advertising and sponsorship of vaping and nicotine products from June 1, 2027.
Sep.07
New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello Warns on Illicit Cigarettes as Legal Tobacco Sales Halve Over Decade
New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello Warns on Illicit Cigarettes as Legal Tobacco Sales Halve Over Decade
New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said legal tobacco sales in the country have fallen by more than half over the past decade, with sales declining more than 20% in 2025 compared with the previous year. She warned that the decline may not fully reflect lower smoking rates, as increased availability of illicit cigarettes could also be contributing. The government said it would continue strengthening tobacco and vape retail enforcement while monitoring the impact of illicit tobacco on public health and tax revenue.
Aug.26