YouTubers Gave Indigenous Tribe With Little Outside Contact Vapes And People Are Furious

The NELK Boys, a popular group of YouTubers, are facing significant backlash after releasing a video where they introduced an isolated Indigenous tribe to vapes and alcohol. The controversial stunt occurred on a Pacific island near Fiji, where the creators encountered the tribe and received permission from its chief to visit. In the video, the group handed the tribe bourbon, cigarettes, and cherry apple-flavored vape pens, with one member jokingly commenting, “He’s about to get hooked on them.”

Many viewers condemned the act, accusing the YouTubers of exploiting and corrupting the tribe’s culture by exposing them to harmful substances. Critics on social media described the scene as “sickening” and “trashy,” arguing that it tarnished the tribe’s authenticity and health. Some also expressed concerns about the ethics of introducing addictive products to communities with little prior exposure to modern substances.

Despite the backlash, the video, titled NELK Visits a Dangerous Uncontacted Tribe!, has garnered over 4.5 million views. While some fans praised the content as entertaining and unique, others speculated that parts of the video might have been staged.

The incident has reignited debates about the responsibilities of content creators when interacting with vulnerable communities. Critics emphasize the need for cultural sensitivity and the potential long-term consequences of such actions. The NELK Boys have not yet publicly responded to the criticism.