BNN Head Proposes Vape Ban at DPR Meeting on Narcotics Bill
The head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Komjen Suyudi Ario Seto, has proposed a ban on the circulation of vapes in Indonesia. BNN highlighted findings of the substance etomidate in vapes.
Suyudi conveyed this during a working meeting with Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) regarding the Bill on Narcotics and Psychotropics, at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4/2026). He revealed BNN’s findings on samples of vape liquid.
“At present, we are faced with the phenomenon of the massive circulation of narcotic substances in the form of vapes or electronic cigarettes. Based on the results of laboratory tests by BNN’s central laboratory on 341 samples of vape liquid, we have found some very shocking facts,” said Suyudi during the meeting.
He stated that from those tests, 11 samples contained cannabinoids and one sample contained methamphetamine or sabu. He mentioned that BNN also found the substance etomidate in the tested vape samples.
“From those tests, we found 11 samples containing synthetic cannabinoids, one sample containing methamphetamine or sabu, and 23 samples proven to contain etomidate. Etomidate is an anaesthetic drug, Sir,” he said.
He stated that narcotic substances are developing very rapidly. Furthermore, he noted that 175 types of new psychoactive substances (NPS) have already been identified in Indonesia.
“In addition, we must also realise that the development of narcotic substances is now moving very quickly. Currently, 1,386 new psychoactive substances (NPS) have been identified circulating worldwide. Meanwhile, in Indonesia alone, 175 types of NPS have been identified,” he said.
He stated that the substance etomidate has been classified under Ministry of Health Regulation Number 15 of 2025 as a list of Group II narcotics. He then highlighted several countries in Southeast Asia that have already banned the circulation of vapes.
“Facing this threat, we can see how the firmness of countries in the ASEAN region such as Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Laos, which have already taken steps to ban the circulation of vapes in their countries,” said Suyudi.
He proposed that Indonesia could take the same firm stance to ban the circulation of vapes. In this way, he continued, the misuse of etomidate or this anaesthetic drug could be eradicated.
“With the facts above, it becomes a great hope for BNN that a vape ban can be implemented in Indonesia, because vapes have been proven to be misused as a medium to be filled with etomidate,” said Suyudi.
“We view that if vapes as this medium are banned, then the circulation of etomidate can also be addressed significantly, just like sabu which always requires a bong as a medium for consumption,” he added.