TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has once again proposed a total ban on the circulation of electronic cigarettes or vape. This is due to the frequent misuse of these products as a medium for consuming narcotics, psychotropic substances, other addictive substances, or drugs.
BNN Deputy for Drug Eradication, Inspector General Aswin Sipayung, stated that they have submitted the proposal to the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission III and VI. Aswin said, "It will be discussed at the relevant ministry level," when met at the BNN Rehabilitation Center in Lido, Bogor on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Aswin explained that the circulation of drugs has now largely shifted from solid to liquid forms. Etomidate is one of the liquid drugs that has been widely circulated lately and is often found in electronic cigarettes.
Aswin says these findings form the basis of BNN's recommendation to ban vaping completely. "Currently, vape is used as the main medium for the use of liquid drugs (etomidate)," Aswin said.
The Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Djamari Chaniago, stated that the government welcomes this proposal. "I instruct you not to hesitate in implementing a total ban on vaping," Djamari said in Bogor on Thursday, June 23, 2026.
Djamari believes that vaping is increasingly being misused as a medium for drug consumption. Furthermore, Djamari stated that about 39.5 percent of vape users have used narcotic-laced liquids through electronic cigarettes.
According to Djamari, the misuse of vaping for drug consumption is alarming. "Hence, proactive measures are needed through the strengthening of regulations, increased surveillance, and policy studies," Djamari said.
Earlier, the Head of the National Narcotics Laboratory BNN, Supianto, revealed that about 23.97 percent of the total 438 vape samples tested by their institution were confirmed to be drug-positive. "We recommend that vaping ultimately be banned," he said on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Jihan Ristiyanti contributed to the writing of this article
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