The head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Commissioner General\nSuyudi Ario Seto, has reported that the trend of e-cigarette or vape\nusage in Indonesia has experienced a sharp surge, with the highest\nprevalence amongst teenagers aged 15-19.<\/p>\n
Suyudi made the remarks whilst opening a focus group discussion on\nthe Regulation of Electronic Cigarettes (Vapes) and the Restriction of\nDinitrogen Oxide (Whip Pink) Use, held at the BNN headquarters in East\nJakarta. Suyudi cited the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) conducted\nin 2021 and released by the Ministry of Health and the World Health\nOrganisation (WHO).<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2021 released by the\nMinistry of Health and WHO, there has been a tenfold surge in the\nprevalence of e-cigarette users in Indonesia,\u201d said Suyudi on Wednesday\n(18 February 2026).<\/p>\n
Suyudi noted that in 2011, the proportion of vape users stood at 0.3\nper cent, rising sharply to 3 per cent by 2021. In absolute terms,\napproximately 6.6 million people aged 15 and above now consume\ne-cigarettes or vapes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis situation is exacerbated by data from the Basic Health Research\nshowing an increase in prevalence amongst the 15-19 age group,\u201d he\ncontinued.<\/p>\n
Suyudi also highlighted a stern warning from WHO in 2024, which\ndescribed the phenomenon as a behavioural pandemic threatening global\npublic health. On the same occasion, Suyudi rejected the narrative that\nvapes serve as a smoking cessation tool, stating that such claims are an\nillusion unsupported by scientific evidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe narrative of vapes as a smoking cessation tool is an illusion\nthat has not been proven effective scientifically,\u201d Suyudi stressed.<\/p>\n
On the contrary, he said, vapes have instead become a new gateway to\ndependence on other addictive substances. \u201cVape liquid is a chemical\ncocktail. It contains nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine, as well as\nflavouring agents such as diacetyl and acetyl propionyl, which pose a\nhigh risk to lung health,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Suyudi revealed that the BNN Narcotics Laboratory recently tested 341\nvape liquid samples circulating in the market. He stated that the\nresults serve as a stark warning for all.<\/p>\n
\u201cEleven samples were found to contain synthetic cannabinoids\n(synthetic cannabis), one sample contained methamphetamine, and 23\nsamples contained the substance etomidate,\u201d he detailed.<\/p>\n
Additionally, BNN highlighted the discovery of a clandestine\nlaboratory in a Jakarta apartment some time ago, where perpetrators were\nproducing etomidate liquid \u2014 now classified as a Category II narcotic\nunder Ministry of Health Regulation No.\u00a015 of 2025 \u2014 for insertion into\nvape cartridges.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis discovery demonstrates that vape liquids have been infiltrated\nby Category I and Category II narcotics, which of course have an\nextraordinary destructive impact on the central nervous system,\u201d said\nSuyudi.<\/p>\n
As a result, BNN is urging strict regulation of vape distribution in\nIndonesia. He cited neighbouring countries such as Singapore, which has\nimposed a total ban on vape use, as an example.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis comparative study certainly demonstrates that political courage\nor political will and strong regulatory support are the key factors.\nIndonesia must not become a dumping ground for products that are banned\nin other countries,\u201d he emphasised.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bnn-reveals-surge-in-vape-use-amongst-teenagers-pushes-for-strict-regulation-1771476448", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }