BNNP DKI Jakarta educates on drug abuse in e-cigarettes

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Narcotics Agency (BNNP) has provided education regarding narcotics abuse through e-cigarettes or vapes via a national seminar commemorating International Anti-Narcotics Day 2026. The national seminar carried the theme ‘Governance of Electronic Cigarette Circulation: Dangers, Supervision Synergy, and Prevention of Narcotics Abuse in Electronic Cigarettes’. The Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of the Republic of Indonesia, Commissioner General (H.C.) Suyudi Ario Seto, stated that the issue of vapes is not only about the device but also the contents. Various modes of narcotics abuse through vapes continue to develop and require stronger anticipatory measures. He emphasised that the issue of electronic cigarettes must be viewed comprehensively from upstream to downstream by involving all stakeholders. Beyond the resulting health impacts, electronic cigarettes are also a serious concern because they are increasingly being found as a means of narcotics abuse through liquids containing illegal substances. The seminar featured speakers from government, legislative, regulatory, academic, and professional organisations to discuss the rising trend of electronic cigarette use, particularly among the youth, and its potential for narcotics consumption. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Habiburokhman, expressed the DPR’s support for the formulation of more comprehensive regulations regarding the supervision and control of electronic cigarettes. He noted that BNN has a strategic role as the leading sector in formulating policy measures to protect the community, especially the younger generation, from the threat of narcotics abuse through vape devices. Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin stressed the importance of public health protection as a top priority. He stated that controlling the consumption of electronic cigarettes is expected to support the improvement of public health quality and contribute to the national target of increasing life expectancy. The seminar also highlighted the fact that the threat of narcotics abuse through electronic cigarettes is increasing, including the discovery of cases involving the circulation of cannabis flowers suspected to be processed into vape liquid. This finding indicates that vape devices are being exploited by illicit drug trafficking networks with increasingly complex and difficult-to-detect methods. Through this seminar, BNNP DKI Jakarta hopes to build a common perception and strengthen cross-sector synergy in supervising electronic cigarettes, preventing narcotics abuse, and protecting the younger generation and educational environments from the dangers of addictive substances and narcotics.