Commission IX Views Proposal for Vape Ban as Needing Serious Consideration
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Commission IX Yahya Zaini believes that the proposal to ban electronic cigarettes or vapes needs to be considered seriously, not only in the context of eradicating narcotics but also as an effort to protect the health of the younger generation.
Yahya stated that the increasing trend of vape use among young people indicates that the product has developed into a risky lifestyle element for health.
“The proposal to ban vapes is quite reasonable because it can reduce unhealthy lifestyles, especially among young people,” said the health sector legislator, as per a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
He agreed with the proposal from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) following findings of vape liquid abuse as a medium for drug consumption. Every loophole in drug circulation must be closed to protect the future of the younger generation.
“Every potential for abuse must be anticipated. The safety of the younger generation must be a priority,” he said.
On the other hand, he reminded that the perception of vapes as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes needs to be corrected. Because recent developments show increasingly complex health risks, especially since vape liquids can be modified with dangerous chemicals.
Yahya mentioned that several studies show that vape vapour contains toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and harmful compounds that can trigger health disorders, from lung damage, heart disorders to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
He also highlighted the phenomenon of increasing vape use among teenagers driven by the image of a modern lifestyle and ease of access. This is seen as making the young age group most vulnerable to the negative impacts of the product.
Given this situation, Yahya believes that a policy approach is not sufficient with just a ban, but must also be accompanied by strengthening regulations and supervision of the content of inhalation products circulating in society.
Commission IX of the House of Representatives, he said, will continue to monitor discussions on related regulations, including in the ongoing revision of the Law so that the resulting policies can provide optimal protection for public health.
“The state must ensure that every product circulating has strict safety standards and can be verified so that the public is not harmed by high-risk products,” Yahya stated.
Head of BNN RI Suyudi Ario Seto proposed a ban on vapes with their liquids regulated in the Draft Law (RUU) on Narcotics and Psychotropics.
He said Indonesia is now facing the phenomenon of massive circulation of narcotic substances in vape form. Countries in the ASEAN region such as Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Laos, according to him, have already taken steps to ban vape circulation.
“Based on laboratory test results from the BNN centre on 341 vape liquid samples, we found very shocking facts,” Suyudi said during a meeting with House Commission III in the parliamentary complex, Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4).