Justin Bieber responds to backlash over smoking near son Jack Blues in recent Instagram posts

Justin Bieber has faced criticism after a video appeared to show him smoking a cigar while spending time with his one-year-old son, Jack Blues, during a family holiday.

The footage, reportedly filmed during the family’s Mediterranean trip, shows Bieber sitting outdoors with wife Hailey Bieber and their son while holding what appears to be a cigar.

The brief clip prompted criticism online, with some followers raising concerns about second-hand smoke and the potential impact of smoking around a young child.

One social media user wrote, "Ok, maybe for the first time I'm really disappointed."

Another said, "Zero tolerance for those who smoke near their kid."

A third questioned, "How are you going to smoke in front of your two-year-old son?"

Other users defended Bieber, arguing that his personal choices should not be subject to public scrutiny. One wrote, "I think people need to mind their own business!!!" Another added: "Maybe people should worry about their own lives."

Bieber has since shared several Instagram posts and Stories showing himself smoking, which some fans have interpreted as a response to the criticism. In one video, he appears to smoke a cigar while saying, "Man, oh man."

The singer also shared a photo of himself smoking in a recent photo dump and posted another image of himself apparently smoking while playing table tennis.

Bieber has previously spoken about his history with cannabis and substance use. In his 2020 docuseries Seasons, he revealed that he first tried cannabis aged 12 or 13 and later described becoming dependent on it.