BNN Requests Ban on Vapes in Indonesia, Here is the Reason
The Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Komjen Suyudi Ario Seto, has proposed that the circulation of vapes or electronic cigarettes be banned in Indonesia. This proposal was presented during a working meeting with Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) discussing the Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill.
Initially, Komjen Suyudi discussed the phenomenon of narcotic substances being circulated in vape form, which has recently been widely discovered.
“Currently, 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 the BNN centre on 341 vape liquid samples, we have found very shocking facts,” said Suyudi during the meeting at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4/2026).
From those tests, Suyudi stated that 11 samples contained cannabinoids and one sample contained methamphetamine or sabu. 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 explained.
According to Suyudi, narcotic substances are developing very rapidly. He said 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 clarified.
Suyudi explained that the substance etomidate has been classified under Ministry of Health Regulation Number 15 of 2025 as a Group II narcotic.
“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,” he said.
Suyudi also proposed that Indonesia could take the same firm stance to ban the circulation of vapes.
“With the facts above, it is a great hope for BNN that a ban on vapes can be implemented in Indonesia, because vapes have been proven to be misused as a medium to be filled with etomidate,” he said.
“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.