BNN Head Proposes Ban on Vapes in Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Suyudi Ario Seto, has proposed a ban on electronic cigarettes or vapes, along with their liquids, to be regulated within the Draft Law (RUU) on Narcotics and Psychotropics.

He stated that Indonesia is currently facing the phenomenon of the massive circulation of narcotic substances in vape form. Countries in the ASEAN region, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Laos, have already taken steps to ban the circulation of vapes, according to him.

“Based on laboratory tests by the BNN centre on 341 vape liquid samples, we found very shocking facts,” Suyudi said during a meeting with Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He explained that from the testing of those 341 vape liquid samples, his agency found 11 samples containing synthetic cannabinoids (synthetic cannabis compounds), one sample containing methamphetamine or sabu, and 23 samples proven to contain etomidate (an anaesthetic drug).

In addition, he said that the development of narcotic substances is now moving very quickly. Currently, as many as 1,386 new psychoactive substances (NPS) have been identified circulating worldwide. Meanwhile, in Indonesia alone, 175 types of NPS have already been identified.

Regarding etomidate in vape liquids, according to him, Minister of Health Regulation Number 15 of 2025 has officially included etomidate in the list of second-group narcotics. However, enforcement against such cases can only use health laws, which carry lighter penalties.

If vapes as devices are banned, he said the circulation of vape liquids containing prohibited chemical compounds can be significantly addressed.

“Just like sabu, which always requires a bong as a medium for consumption,” he said.