DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesia's Narcotics Agency Proposes Total Vape Ban Amid Drug Misuse Concerns

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has proposed a total ban on e-cigarettes, citing their frequent misuse for consuming narcotics and other addictive substances.
  • The BNN has submitted this proposal to the House of Representatives, highlighting the shift of drug circulation to liquid forms, often found in vapes.
  • Data indicates a significant percentage of vape users have consumed drug-laced liquids, prompting the government to welcome the ban and call for strengthened regulations and surveillance.

Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN) is pushing for a complete ban on electronic cigarettes, citing a disturbing trend of their misuse as a conduit for narcotics and other addictive substances. The agency has formally submitted its proposal to the House of Representatives, signaling a serious governmental concern over the escalating problem.

It will be discussed at the relevant ministry level.

— Inspector General Aswin SipayungBNN Deputy for Drug Eradication, Inspector General Aswin Sipayung, commented on the process of discussing the proposed vape ban.

Inspector General Aswin Sipayung, BNN Deputy for Drug Eradication, explained that the agency's recommendation stems from observations that drug trafficking has increasingly shifted from solid forms to liquids. These illicit liquids, such as etomidate, are frequently found mixed with vape products. "Currently, vape is used as the main medium for the use of liquid drugs (etomidate)," Aswin stated, underscoring the direct link between vaping devices and drug consumption.

Currently, vape is used as the main medium for the use of liquid drugs (etomidate).

— Inspector General Aswin SipayungAswin explained the primary reason behind the BNN's recommendation to ban vaping.

The government has expressed its support for the proposed ban. Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago instructed officials "not to hesitate in implementing a total ban on vaping." He noted that approximately 39.5 percent of vape users have reportedly consumed narcotic-laced liquids via e-cigarettes, a statistic he described as alarming. "Hence, proactive measures are needed through the strengthening of regulations, increased surveillance, and policy studies," Djamari added.

I instruct you not to hesitate in implementing a total ban on vaping.

— Djamari ChaniagoThe Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Djamari Chaniago, expressed government support for the proposed ban.

This is not the first time the BNN has raised concerns. In February 2026, the Head of the National Narcotics Laboratory BNN revealed that nearly a quarter of tested vape samples were confirmed to be drug-positive. The agency's stance is further supported by findings like the recent seizure of etomidate liquid valued at Rp97.8 billion, which could have been processed into thousands of drug-laced vape cartridges.

Hence, proactive measures are needed through the strengthening of regulations, increased surveillance, and policy studies.

— Djamari ChaniagoDjamari Chaniago outlined the necessary steps to address the misuse of vaping for drug consumption.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog