BNN Calls for Ban on Vapes Due to Misuse as Drug Consumption Tool
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has requested that the circulation of vapes or electronic cigarettes be banned in Indonesia, following the widespread discovery of narcotic and anaesthetic contents in vape liquids circulating in society.
BNN Chief Suyudi Ario Seto stated that these findings are based on laboratory tests of hundreds of vape liquid samples.
“It is a major hope for BNN that a vape ban can be implemented in Indonesia, as vapes have been proven to be misused as a medium to be filled with etomidate,” said Suyudi during a general opinion hearing (RDPU) at the House of Representatives Commission III regarding the Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill, on Tuesday (7/4/2026).
In addition, Suyudi continued, 23 samples were confirmed to contain etomidate and one sample contained methamphetamine, or sabu.
Suyudi explained that etomidate is an anaesthetic that has now been classified under Group II narcotics.
According to him, these findings indicate that vapes have been misused as a medium for consuming dangerous substances.
“We view that if vapes as this medium are banned, the circulation of etomidate can also be significantly addressed, similar to sabu which always requires a bong as a medium for consumption,” Suyudi clarified.
Suyudi revealed that there are currently 1,386 new psychoactive substances (NPS) identified worldwide, while in Indonesia, 175 types have been found.
He added that several countries in Southeast Asia have already taken firm steps by banning vape circulation, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Laos.
“We can see how the decisiveness of ASEAN countries that have already taken a stance to ban vape circulation in their countries,” he said.
The proposal for a vape ban was submitted by BNN in the discussion of the Bill on Narcotics and Psychotropics currently being deliberated in the House of Representatives.
For information, the Bill is included in the list of the 2026 Priority National Legislation Program (Prolegnas). The House of Representatives has agreed to amendments to the 2026 Priority Prolegnas, which now contains 64 bills.
The drafting of the Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill is deemed important to align regulations with the latest Criminal Code (KUHP) and Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).