BPOM on Proposal for Total Vape Ban: Cannot Be Comprehensive

The Head of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), Taruna Ikrar, has called for a more mature evaluation of proposals to impose a total ban on electronic cigarettes or vapes before the government makes a decision. According to him, such policies must take into account scientific, economic, and social aspects.

Taruna emphasised that a ban cannot be implemented comprehensively without clear justification. He stated that BPOM will determine policies based on the level of danger posed by the products.

“Those three aspects form the basis for the Agency to decide whether to ban or not. Those that are truly dangerous will be banned,” Taruna said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Monday, 11 May 2026.

The statement comes in response to proposals for a vape ban due to the misuse of electronic cigarette liquids mixed with narcotics. However, according to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), such misuse was found in illegal products without tax stamps.

Taruna affirmed that vapes are currently still legal products in Indonesia in accordance with Health Law No. 17 of 2023 and Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024.

“It must be regulated strictly. Which ones are banned, which are not. It cannot be all-encompassing,” he said.

BPOM also stated its readiness to carry out supervision tasks for electronic cigarettes starting from July 2026 by strengthening oversight of illegal products and vape misuse in society.