The famous American rapper Snoop Dogg, whose image is inextricably linked to his love for marijuana, surprised his fans by announcing on Thursday that he was quitting smoking, reports AFP.

“After much thought and discussion with my family, I decided to quit smoking. Please respect my privacy at this time,” he wrote on his social media.

The 52-year-old Californian artist, whose carelessness is legendary, did not specify whether he meant only giving up smoking or also marijuana.

Many of his fans were skeptical of the announcement, claiming it was a joke, while others expressed concern about the star’s possible health problems.

His manager did not immediately respond to AFP’s call.

Snoop Dogg rose to fame with his solo album Doggystyle, produced by hip-hop star Dr. Dre in the early 1990s.

The rapper has sold millions of albums worldwide with hits like “Gin & Juice” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”

The singer, who famously hired a man to roll his marijuana cigarettes, also does business with the cannabis industry, which is now legal in many US states.