Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Calls for Clear Regulations on Vape Misuse

Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, known as Cak Imin, believes there must be clear regulations regarding the misuse of vapes or electronic cigarettes. Cak Imin made this statement to highlight the increasing use of vapes, which are now often misused and even serve as a new modus operandi for narcotics distribution. “We must not be merely reactive. The government must ensure clear regulations, strong supervision, and massive education for the younger generation,” said Cak Imin in Jakarta on Sunday. He further stated that the government must not be complacent about this phenomenon. Moreover, he said, this phenomenon cannot be viewed merely as a lifestyle trend among the youth but must be seen as a real threat to their future. In addition, he noted that the increasingly sophisticated patterns of narcotics distribution demand vigilance from all parties, including families, educational institutions, and law enforcement apparatus. “We must not be complacent, as this could become an unnoticed new entry point, even in pesantren environments that we have long protected,” he said. Therefore, he stated that environments such as pesantren and schools must be strengthened to prevent the opening of gaps for such dangerous practices. He views the importance of a wise and data-based approach in addressing this issue to avoid excessive panic in society while still providing maximum protection for the younger generation. “The approach must be balanced. We must be firm against narcotics, but also intelligent in reading the phenomenon. Do not let us make wrong steps due to lack of data, but also do not delay action,” he said. Cak Imin also places great hope that the misuse of vapes as a container for narcotics distribution can be handled comprehensively through cross-sector collaboration. “In this way, educational spaces, including pesantren, will remain safe and conducive places for shaping the character of the nation’s generation,” he said. Meanwhile, the Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Suyudi Ario Seto, during a meeting with Commission III of the House of Representatives on 7 April 2026, once proposed a ban on vapes with their liquids to be regulated in the Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill.