Bekasi Vape Urine Tests Show Negative Drug Results

Jakarta (ANTARA) – A number of electronic cigarette users belonging to the Therion DNA Indonesia community underwent voluntary urine testing to prove that the use of legal alternative tobacco products is not linked to drug abuse. The activity took place at the Halalbihalal Vapers with Therion DNA Indonesia event in Bekasi, West Java, not long ago, attended by more than 50 vape users. Linda, an Addiction Counselor at the Bekasi Regency Narcotics Agency, in a written statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday, said all participants were declared negative for narcotics across various categories based on laboratory results. ‘Based on the urine tests we have conducted on 50 members, all participants tested negative and no signs of NAPZA use were found,’ Linda said. According to Linda, the test results show no indication of illicit drug use among participants using legal vape products. Meanwhile, Garindra Kartasasmita, Chairman of the Tar- and Cigarette Smoke-Free Movement (GEBRAK), said the activity was important to straighten public perceptions of alternative tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes. ‘Fifty people were urine-tested and all results were negative. The information circulating must be true that this product is not a narcotic,’ he said. He stated that education about alternative tobacco products needs to be reinforced so that the public does not equate legal, taxed products with illegal products containing prohibited substances. He added that alternative tobacco products such as vape devices, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches have lower risk profiles than conventional cigarettes based on several scientific studies. The event organizer and vape user, Enggar Dwi Pambudi, said the vape community supports strict oversight to ensure that alternative tobacco products are not misused. ‘Illegal products containing narcotics are definitely not legal, taxed products. We support strict oversight so that alternative tobacco products are not misused or mixed with prohibited substances,’ he said.