Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Vows Crackdown on Vapes Containing Narcotics

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam), General (Ret.) Djamari Chaniago, will impose a total ban on the circulation of vapes containing narcotics, not on legal products bearing excise stamps. “I have informed them to study the matter, so we can take firm action related to narcotics,” said Djamari, as quoted on Tuesday (28/7). Djamari stressed that the proposed ban on vapes announced by the government does not apply to all electronic cigarettes, but only to those proven to be misused for narcotics. The clarification aims to correct the inaccurate assumption that the ban applies to all vape products. Djamari stated that this does not mean all vapes in Indonesia will be banned. “Of course not,” he said. Responding to the statement by Menko Polkam Djamari, the Chairman of the Indonesian Personal Vaporizer Association (APVI), Budiyanto, expressed appreciation for the statement, which provides certainty for the public and business operators who have been running their businesses legally, complying with regulations, paying excise duties, and contributing to the national economy. “From the outset, APVI has supported firm action against anyone who misuses vape devices as a medium for narcotics distribution. Such actions are criminal offences and must be processed according to the law,” Budiyanto stated. Budiyanto added that the misuse of vapes for narcotics also harms the legal industry because it creates a negative stigma against legally circulating products, even though legal products do not contain prohibited substances.