One Direction fans turned on the band and each other today after a video emerged showing two members sharing a roll-up 'joint' on the Latin America leg of their world tour. The MailOnline exclusive footage of Zayn Malik, 21, smoking and joking about marijuana with Louis Tomlinson, 22, has led to several 'Directioners' ripping up, burning or selling their tickets for the upcoming gigs in the UK, Europe and America.
Some have demanded the two members apologise for their actions because they are 'role models with a young fan base'. But others have said they 'still love' the band and accused critics of not being 'true fans'. Drug charities and parent groups have also turned on the stars for failing to take 'real responsibility as role models' to millions of children.
Mentor, the alcohol and drug protection charity said: 'Zayn and Louis have a great opportunity to be a good role model for young people but they blow it here. 'We hope their young fans are not swayed by their example'.
@London_StylesXx said: '@onedirection If you boys are Smoking.. seriously cut it out.. im so angry and sad right now.. dont smoke.
@1_dimages tweeted: 'I love One Direction but this zouis smoking thing is sad. Why would they do that. It's all messed up'.
But others rushed to defend the band.
@lemmuhybbag said: 'I'll always be a fan of one direction they can do almost anything and i'll still love them, smoking pot isn't a huge deal'
@CheBeeeee wrote: 'I still love One Direction.I don't care about the smoking thingy.I love them especially Zayn'.
Nicola Lamond of Netmums said: “Popstars doing drugs is nothing new – but when you market your music to pre-teen children, you take on real responsibility as a role model. 'Parents need to know their infant and junior age child’s idol won’t be caught outdoing anything illegal or immoral. 'While some people will argue this video was shot in private and so should be ignored, it exposes how naïve Zayn and his management have been as there are always people willing to make money off the back of someone else’s success. Perhaps he needs to do some work with a charity specialising in helping children over come the terrible effects of drug addiction in their family.'
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