Health Ministry: Children Must Be Protected from Vape Promotions on Social Media

The Ministry of Health has emphasised that children must be protected from exposure to and the promotion of tobacco products, both conventional and electronic or vapes. Head of the Ministry of Health’s Communication and Public Information Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, stated in Jakarta on Tuesday that the ministry is concerned about reports of a content creator allegedly involving children in a vape promotion during a live stream. The ministry respects and supports the process being undertaken by law enforcement and relevant ministries and agencies in accordance with their authority. “Article 151 of Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health mandates the safeguarding of addictive substances in the form of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes to protect public health, especially children and adolescents,” he said. This provision is reinforced in Government Regulation Number 28 of 2024, specifically Articles 435 to 449, which regulate the safeguarding of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, including restrictions on advertising, promotion, sponsorship, sales, and the protection of children from exposure to these products. “The Ministry of Health asserts that vapes are not safe products. Electronic cigarettes still contain addictive nicotine and various chemicals that can increase the risk of dependence and chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and lung disease,” he said. Therefore, the Ministry of Health continues to strengthen education on the dangers of cigarettes and vapes to the public, particularly children and adolescents. “The Ministry of Health invites parents, educators, content creators, business actors, digital platforms, and the entire community to work together to create a safe digital space and not make children the target or part of promotions for products that endanger health,” he said. Previously, mass media and social media reported that YouTuber Bigmo promoted vapes during a live stream, allegedly involving children. He has been reported to the police over the matter. Police stated they will summon the YouTuber in response to the report. Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid plans to summon the digital platform YouTube following the discovery of content created by a creator promoting electronic cigarette products targeting and involving children. This summons is a follow-up, as the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs had previously sent a first warning letter on Sunday (2/8) regarding the discovery of vape product promotion content by content creator Muhammad Jannah, also known as Bigmo, which involved minors during a live stream.