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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesian Child Protection Agency Demands Probe into Minors' Vape Promotion

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Indonesia's Child Protection Commission (KPAI) is calling for a strict legal investigation into the alleged promotion of vapes involving minors on social media.
  • KPAI stated that children should never be targets or promotional tools for addictive products, emphasizing the seriousness of such offenses.
  • The commission has observed evolving marketing strategies for e-cigarettes, including covert advertising and influencer campaigns, which are concerning due to children's vulnerability.

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has strongly urged law enforcement to conduct a thorough legal probe into allegations of minors being involved in promoting e-cigarettes on social media. Deputy Chairperson Jasra Putra stressed that children must never be used as targets, subjects, or promotional instruments for products containing addictive substances.

Involving children in vape marketing or directing promotional campaigns toward them is a serious offense that must be prosecuted in accordance with laws and regulations.

— Jasra PutraDeputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), explaining the severity of using minors in vape promotions.

"Involving children in vape marketing or directing promotional campaigns toward them is a serious offense that must be prosecuted in accordance with laws and regulations," Jasra stated in a written release on Monday, August 3, 2026. He highlighted KPAI's observation of efforts to normalize e-cigarette consumption across digital platforms, noting a shift in marketing strategies from conventional advertising to social media ecosystems, utilizing influencers, algorithms, and viral trends.

Jasra expressed deep concern over these evolving tactics, stating, "This pattern is very worrying, as children remain in a vulnerable stage of psychological development and are highly susceptible to influence from figures they admire." KPAI has identified various forms of covert advertising, employing illustrations, cartoon figures, youth slang, and visually appealing aesthetics designed to attract younger audiences, indicating that industry marketing continuously adapts to modern media and children's digital behavior.

This pattern is very worrying, as children remain in a vulnerable stage of psychological development and are highly susceptible to influence from figures they admire.

— Jasra PutraKPAI Deputy Chairperson describing the concerns surrounding evolving vape marketing strategies targeting youth.

The commission warned that without stringent oversight, social media risks becoming a platform that normalizes smoking and vaping from an early age. "KPAI urges law enforcement to take stern measures against any suspected promotional violations for tobacco and e-cigarette products involving or aimed at children," Jasra reiterated. Additionally, KPAI called upon public figures, influencers, content creators, and digital marketing agencies to cease all vaping promotions that could potentially reach or influence children and adolescents.

KPAI urges law enforcement to take stern measures against any suspected promotional violations for tobacco and e-cigarette products involving or aimed at children.

— Jasra PutraKPAI Deputy Chairperson calling for decisive action from authorities regarding vape promotions targeting children.

This statement follows police reports filed against YouTube influencer Muhammad Jannah, known online as Bigmo, for allegedly soliciting minors to promote e-cigarette liquids. Jakarta Metropolitan Police Public Relations Head Sr. Comr. Budi Hermanto confirmed the receipt of a formal complaint concerning the alleged economic exploitation of children during a live social media broadcast. He noted that the complaint is in its preliminary stage, and the identity of the child involved has not yet been confirmed.

The PPA PPO Directorate of Metro Jaya Police has received a complaint regarding the alleged economic exploitation of children during a live social media broadcast.

— Budi HermantoJakarta Metropolitan Police Public Relations Head confirming a complaint about child exploitation in a social media broadcast.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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