BNN Proposal to Ban Vapes Due to Serving as Containers for 'Narcotics'
The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has proposed banning the circulation of vapes or e-cigarettes in Indonesia. The reason is that vapes are often used as containers for ‘narcotics’.
This proposal was presented by BNN Chief Police General Suyudi Ario Seto during a Working Meeting with Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4/2026). The meeting discussed the Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill.
Initially, Police General Suyudi discussed the phenomenon of narcotics circulating in vapes, which has recently been frequently found. According to him, BNN’s findings show that vape liquids often contain narcotic substances.
“Currently, we are facing the phenomenon of massive circulation of narcotics in the form of vapes or e-cigarettes. Based on laboratory tests by BNN’s central laboratory on 341 vape liquid samples, we have found very shocking facts,” said Suyudi during the meeting.
Suyudi stated that from those tests, 11 samples contained cannabinoids up to one sample containing methamphetamine or sabu. According to him, 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 Group II narcotic. 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 anaesthetic drugs could be eradicated.
“With the facts above, it becomes a great hope for BNN that the ban on vapes 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, similar to sabu which always requires a bong as a medium for consumption,” he added.