{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1688318,
        "msgid": "vapes-as-gateway-to-drugs-dpr-tighten-supervision-1776671466",
        "date": "2026-04-20 13:38:00",
        "title": "Vapes as Gateway to Drugs, DPR: Tighten Supervision",
        "author": "",
        "source": "VIVA",
        "tags": "berita",
        "topic": "Regulation",
        "summary": "A DPR member has criticised the National Narcotics Agency's (BNN) proposal for a total ban on electronic cigarettes (vapes), arguing that it would harm small and medium enterprises (UMKM) and reflects inadequate enforcement against drug trafficking. Instead, he advocates for strengthened supervision and detection to prevent the illegal use of vapes in drug distribution without banning the entire product. The vaping industry is projected to employ up to 280,000 people by 2030, highlighting the potential economic fallout of such a ban.",
        "content": "<p>Plans for a total ban on the circulation of electronic cigarettes\n(vapes) proposed by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) have drawn\ncriticism from DPR RI member Bambang Haryo Soekartono. Bambang deems the\nproposal inappropriate as it could harm micro, small, and medium\nenterprises (UMKM) and indicates that the supervisory and preventive\nfunctions against narcotics by law enforcement are not yet optimal.\nBambang states that indications of the misuse of illegal vape liquids as\na medium for drug distribution should be addressed through strengthened\nsupervision and detection, rather than a comprehensive ban on the\nproduct. According to him, the emergence of narcotics cases in illegal\nvapes actually shows that prevention efforts by BNN and the police still\nneed to be improved. \u201cThis means the duties of BNN and the police are\nstill not optimal in prevention,\u201d Bambang said in a written statement on\nMonday, 20 April 2026. He emphasises that the primary task of\nauthorities is to ensure that products circulating in society are not\ncontaminated with prohibited substances. Therefore, he says, what should\nbe eradicated is the narcotics, not the vape product itself. Bambang\nalso illustrates that if a ban is imposed merely due to misuse\nloopholes, then public facilities like ports and airports should also be\nclosed because they serve as drug trafficking routes. However, he\nconsiders such a step unreasonable as it would have a major impact on\nthe economy. \u201cIt\u2019s the same with sea ports; should they be closed just\nbecause they are drug routes? If unable to supervise, don\u2019t sacrifice\nthe industry,\u201d he asserted. Furthermore, he assesses that the use of\nvapes as a drug medium cannot be used as a reason to ban the entire\nproduct. He notes that drug circulation in Indonesia reaches hundreds of\ntonnes per year, and most of it is not related to vapes. According to\nBambang, detecting narcotics in vape liquids or devices is relatively\neasy if supervision is conducted meticulously and in an integrated\nmanner. Thus, strengthening the supervisory system is deemed more\neffective than a total ban. In addition, he highlights the potential\neconomic impact of the policy. The vape industry is seen to have\nabsorbed a large number of workers and has the potential for continued\ngrowth. Data from the Indonesian E-liquid Producers Association projects\nthat the electronic cigarette industry could absorb 210,000 to 280,000\nworkers by 2030, with annual growth of 1\u20133 percent. Meanwhile, the\nIndonesian Personal Vaporizer Association records that the industry has\ncovered more than 1,500 members and absorbed around 100,000 to 150,000\nworkers by 2025.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/vapes-as-gateway-to-drugs-dpr-tighten-supervision-1776671466",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}