BNN Reveals Surge in Vape Use Amongst Teenagers, Pushes for Strict Regulation
The head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, has reported that the trend of e-cigarette or vape usage in Indonesia has experienced a sharp surge, with the highest prevalence amongst teenagers aged 15-19.
Suyudi made the remarks whilst opening a focus group discussion on the Regulation of Electronic Cigarettes (Vapes) and the Restriction of Dinitrogen Oxide (Whip Pink) Use, held at the BNN headquarters in East Jakarta. Suyudi cited the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) conducted in 2021 and released by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Based on the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2021 released by the Ministry of Health and WHO, there has been a tenfold surge in the prevalence of e-cigarette users in Indonesia,” said Suyudi on Wednesday (18 February 2026).
Suyudi noted that in 2011, the proportion of vape users stood at 0.3 per cent, rising sharply to 3 per cent by 2021. In absolute terms, approximately 6.6 million people aged 15 and above now consume e-cigarettes or vapes.
“This situation is exacerbated by data from the Basic Health Research showing an increase in prevalence amongst the 15-19 age group,” he continued.
Suyudi also highlighted a stern warning from WHO in 2024, which described the phenomenon as a behavioural pandemic threatening global public health. On the same occasion, Suyudi rejected the narrative that vapes serve as a smoking cessation tool, stating that such claims are an illusion unsupported by scientific evidence.
“The narrative of vapes as a smoking cessation tool is an illusion that has not been proven effective scientifically,” Suyudi stressed.
On the contrary, he said, vapes have instead become a new gateway to dependence on other addictive substances. “Vape liquid is a chemical cocktail. It contains nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine, as well as flavouring agents such as diacetyl and acetyl propionyl, which pose a high risk to lung health,” he explained.
Suyudi revealed that the BNN Narcotics Laboratory recently tested 341 vape liquid samples circulating in the market. He stated that the results serve as a stark warning for all.
“Eleven samples were found to contain synthetic cannabinoids (synthetic cannabis), one sample contained methamphetamine, and 23 samples contained the substance etomidate,” he detailed.
Additionally, BNN highlighted the discovery of a clandestine laboratory in a Jakarta apartment some time ago, where perpetrators were producing etomidate liquid — now classified as a Category II narcotic under Ministry of Health Regulation No. 15 of 2025 — for insertion into vape cartridges.
“This discovery demonstrates that vape liquids have been infiltrated by Category I and Category II narcotics, which of course have an extraordinary destructive impact on the central nervous system,” said Suyudi.
As a result, BNN is urging strict regulation of vape distribution in Indonesia. He cited neighbouring countries such as Singapore, which has imposed a total ban on vape use, as an example.
“This comparative study certainly demonstrates that political courage or political will and strong regulatory support are the key factors. Indonesia must not become a dumping ground for products that are banned in other countries,” he emphasised.