BNN Proposes Ban on Vapes in Indonesia: Misused as a Tool for Narcotics Consumption

Jakarta, VIVA – The Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Komjen Pol Suyudi Ario Seto, has revealed a new phenomenon in the circulation of narcotics. Most recently, he said, vape liquids are being used in the distribution of narcotic substances.

This was stated by Suyudi during a meeting with Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.

“At present, we are facing the phenomenon of the massive circulation of narcotic substances in the form of vapes or electronic cigarettes,” said Suyudi.

Based on laboratory tests by BNN’s central laboratory on 341 samples of vape liquids, BNN found several dangerous contents in the vape liquids.

“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 explained.

Suyudi explained that, based on Minister of Health Regulation Number 15 of 2025, specifically since 28 November 2025, etomidate has officially been included in the list of Group II narcotics.

Regarding this matter, Suyudi urged Indonesia to quickly follow the example of neighbouring countries that have banned the circulation of vapes.

“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,” he said.

“BNN has high hopes 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,” he continued.

According to Suyudi, with the banning of vapes, the circulation of those dangerous substances in society can automatically be suppressed.

“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 emphasised.