PUTRAJAYA – The Youth and Sports Ministry is taking proactive steps to enhance regulations concerning sports sponsorships in light of a recent controversy surrounding the sponsorship of a Polo event by a vape company, which gained traction on social media.
Images from the event – held on February 17-18 – circulated online prominently featuring the brand’s logo and name, both integrated into the competition’s event logo and emblazoned on participants’ attire, as well as vape promoters.
Vape company sponsors KL polo tournament.
— Azrul Mohd Khalib (@azrulmohdkhalib) February 21, 2024
This must stop. Vape must be treated similar to cigarettes.
Vape companies should be banned from sponsoring, promoting, advertising & distributing products at sports events. @AdamAdli @hannahyeoh @KBSMalaysia @KKMPutrajaya @DrDzul pic.twitter.com/201j02L2vW
Minister Hannah Yeoh emphasised that the ministry prohibits vape and cigarette companies from sponsoring sporting events, and she acknowledged the public’s concerns regarding this issue.
“We have asked our legal officers to see what we can do to tighten up the process.
“I know there are many concerns on this issue and we are also looking at how we can do this through the Safe Sport Code,” she said.
Hannah added that her ministry is committed to upholding the Safe Sport Code, which is aimed at ensuring a secure environment for both participants and spectators alike.
“If vape and cigarette companies can come and sell their products then parents won’t send their kids to these events.
“That is one of the reasons why the ministry bans them from sponsoring sports events.
“I know sponsors are hard to come by and many are reliant on sponsorship as the cost of organising events is high.
“But we cannot compromise on this because it is an issue of health, safety, and addiction. If we allow this, it will send the wrong message,” she told the media after flagging off the men’s elite race at the Asia Triathlon Cup Putrajaya at the Watersports Complex, here today.
Hannah also underscored the ministry’s commitment to transparency, stating that associations and organisers found in breach of sponsorship regulations will receive show-cause letters, with subsequent actions communicated to the public.
“We will send a show cause letter to the association. This is not the first time as others have done the same before this.
“We will inform the public on what action we can take on the association and organisers.
“It is impossible to get away with things as you have so many audiences, people will take photos and videos.
“Another thing is when you allow companies like that, it will jeopardise the other sponsors unwilling to be associated with cigarettes or vape,” she said. – February 25, 2024