BNN Chief Highlights Dangerous Phenomenon of Drug-Laced Vapes
The head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, has drawn attention to the growing phenomenon of vaping devices being misused by drug users, describing the trend as extremely dangerous.
Suyudi made the remarks whilst opening a focus group discussion on Electronic Cigarette (Vape) Regulation and Restrictions on the Use of Dinitrogen Oxide (Whip Pink), held at the BNN headquarters in East Jakarta. He began by stating that vapes could trigger new forms of addiction.
"I wish to emphasise here that the narrative of vapes as a smoking cessation tool is an illusion that has not been proven scientifically effective," Suyudi said in his presentation on Wednesday (18 February 2026).
"On the contrary, these products are actually opening new gateways to more dangerous addictive substance dependencies," he continued.
He explained that vape liquids are a mixture of chemical compounds, noting that these substances also pose risks to lung health.
"From the perspective of chemical substances, vape liquid is a chemical cocktail. It contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, as well as flavouring agents such as diacetyl, acetyl propionyl, and benzaldehyde, which pose a high risk to lung health," he said.
Suyudi warned that drug traffickers have also begun exploiting vapes, describing drug-laced vaping devices as extremely dangerous.
"Even more dangerous are new packaging formats that have been infiltrated by dealers who deliberately insert refills or cartridges specially designed to contain liquids laced with narcotics and new psychoactive substances (NPS), which are clearly very dangerous," Suyudi said.
The former Banten Regional Police Chief also described vapes as a form of narcotics camouflage. He noted that traditional bongs are being abandoned as drug users have switched to vaping devices.
"Previously, we observed the phenomenon of people using methamphetamine-type narcotics with a device called a bong. That phenomenon is now rather outdated. They no longer need to make bongs — they use vapes instead, and this is the problem," Suyudi explained.
"It looks as though they're simply using a regular e-cigarette, and the pleasant aroma means it goes undetected. But the contents turn out to be narcotics — it could be liquid methamphetamine, etomidate, or other chemical narcotic substances," he added.
According to Suyudi, courage and regulatory support are needed to prevent the misuse of vapes. He also referenced vape prohibition regulations that have already been implemented in various countries.
"We cannot allow these practices to continue as though they are simply part of everyday life, following trends, when in reality this is an effort by dealers to make it easier for our people to use narcotics. Indonesia must not become a dumping ground for products that are banned in other countries," he said.
Beyond the issue of vape regulation, the BNN also highlighted the misuse of N2O gas, commonly known as Whip Pink, which is frequently abused. Suyudi called on all elements of government and stakeholders to formulate strict regulations addressing these phenomena.
Suyudi made the remarks whilst opening a focus group discussion on Electronic Cigarette (Vape) Regulation and Restrictions on the Use of Dinitrogen Oxide (Whip Pink), held at the BNN headquarters in East Jakarta. He began by stating that vapes could trigger new forms of addiction.
"I wish to emphasise here that the narrative of vapes as a smoking cessation tool is an illusion that has not been proven scientifically effective," Suyudi said in his presentation on Wednesday (18 February 2026).
"On the contrary, these products are actually opening new gateways to more dangerous addictive substance dependencies," he continued.
He explained that vape liquids are a mixture of chemical compounds, noting that these substances also pose risks to lung health.
"From the perspective of chemical substances, vape liquid is a chemical cocktail. It contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, as well as flavouring agents such as diacetyl, acetyl propionyl, and benzaldehyde, which pose a high risk to lung health," he said.
Suyudi warned that drug traffickers have also begun exploiting vapes, describing drug-laced vaping devices as extremely dangerous.
"Even more dangerous are new packaging formats that have been infiltrated by dealers who deliberately insert refills or cartridges specially designed to contain liquids laced with narcotics and new psychoactive substances (NPS), which are clearly very dangerous," Suyudi said.
The former Banten Regional Police Chief also described vapes as a form of narcotics camouflage. He noted that traditional bongs are being abandoned as drug users have switched to vaping devices.
"Previously, we observed the phenomenon of people using methamphetamine-type narcotics with a device called a bong. That phenomenon is now rather outdated. They no longer need to make bongs — they use vapes instead, and this is the problem," Suyudi explained.
"It looks as though they're simply using a regular e-cigarette, and the pleasant aroma means it goes undetected. But the contents turn out to be narcotics — it could be liquid methamphetamine, etomidate, or other chemical narcotic substances," he added.
According to Suyudi, courage and regulatory support are needed to prevent the misuse of vapes. He also referenced vape prohibition regulations that have already been implemented in various countries.
"We cannot allow these practices to continue as though they are simply part of everyday life, following trends, when in reality this is an effort by dealers to make it easier for our people to use narcotics. Indonesia must not become a dumping ground for products that are banned in other countries," he said.
Beyond the issue of vape regulation, the BNN also highlighted the misuse of N2O gas, commonly known as Whip Pink, which is frequently abused. Suyudi called on all elements of government and stakeholders to formulate strict regulations addressing these phenomena.