{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1575329,
        "msgid": "business-operators-response-to-bnn-statement-on-alleged-vape-misuse-1772190286",
        "date": "2026-02-27 16:05:26",
        "title": "Business Operators' Response to BNN Statement on Alleged Vape Misuse",
        "author": "",
        "source": "VIVA",
        "tags": "berita",
        "topic": "Regulation",
        "summary": "Indonesia's electronic cigarette industry association has objected to the National Narcotics Board's (BNN) claim that vape serves as a gateway to drug trafficking, warning that an outright ban could devastate small and medium-sized enterprises and employment in the sector.",
        "content": "<p>The electronic cigarette or vape industry association in Indonesia\nhas expressed objections to a statement from the National Narcotics\nBoard (BNN) that labels vape as a gateway to drug trafficking.<\/p>\n<p>Industry representatives are concerned that the statement could\ntrigger discourse for a total vape ban, which they believe would have\nthe potential to devastate the ecosystem of micro, small, and\nmedium-sized enterprises (UMKM) and employment in the sector.<\/p>\n<p>I Gede Agus Mahartika, General Chair of the Vaporiser Association of\nBali (AVB), has affirmed that vape is a legal product that has been\nregulated under various government policies. He appreciates the BNN\u2019s\nefforts in combating narcotics, but contends that a total ban is not the\ncorrect solution.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVape is a legal product that has been regulated under various\npolicies. What needs to be combated is its misuse, not the product\nitself. I do not agree if vape is labelled as an illegal product across\nthe board,\u201d Agus stated on Friday, 27 February 2026.<\/p>\n<p>According to Agus, the government should instead strengthen\nregulation and oversight of vape product distribution to prevent the\ninfiltration of banned substances, rather than halting the operations of\nan industry that has been functioning legitimately.<\/p>\n<p>He emphasised the importance of distinguishing between legitimate\nbusiness operators who comply with regulations and criminal elements who\nmisuse vape devices.<\/p>\n<p>Agus also noted that the vape association has continuously worked\nwith law enforcement agencies, including the police, customs\nauthorities, and the BNN, to report suspicious activities.<\/p>\n<p>Based on the results of several inspections of vape shops, Agus\nclaims that no narcotics were found, whilst misuse has predominantly\nbeen discovered in the form of illegal cartridges in nightlife\nvenues.<\/p>\n<p>Agus added that industry players are prepared to become government\npartners in safeguarding product integrity through distribution\noversight, implementation of quality standards, consumer education, and\ncoordination with authorities if violations are discovered.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/business-operators-response-to-bnn-statement-on-alleged-vape-misuse-1772190286",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}