Indonesia Faces Youth Smoking Emergency as 5 Million Children Become Active Smokers

Head of the National Agency for Drug and Food Control (BPOM), Taruna Ikrar, said Indonesia is currently in an emergency over novice smokers. Early-age children are increasingly becoming active smokers. According to BPOM data, the prevalence among children and adolescents aged 10-18 who smoke actively reaches 7.4%, equating to more than 5 million children in Indonesia. ‘The use of electronic cigarettes has also risen due to harm-reduction narratives promoted by industry players. Yet there is no conclusive evidence that electronic cigarettes are safer than conventional cigarettes,’ Ikrar said in a statement on Friday (22 May). He emphasised that electronic cigarettes still contain addictive substances such as nicotine, toxicants, and carcinogens that can trigger dependence and harm health. In some cases, vape devices are also misused as a medium for the use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and other dangerous substances. ‘Surveillance of electronic cigarette products cannot be partial; it must be comprehensive and integrated across sectors,’ he said. To strengthen the surveillance system, BPOM has issued BPOM Regulation Number 18 on the Supervision of Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Products and BPOM Regulation Number 19 of 2025 on Guidelines for Follow-Up of the Results of Supervision of Medicines and Addictive Substances. In addition to regulation, BPOM has also run a pilot project supervising tobacco products and electronic cigarettes in various regions of Indonesia throughout 2025. The results indicated that compliance with the latest provisions still needs improvement, especially regarding the protection of children and adolescents. ‘To support more modern and integrated surveillance, BPOM is developing BPOM-WATCH (Web-based Application for Tobacco Control Hub) as a digital reporting system to strengthen monitoring of business operators’ compliance in a more accountable way,’ Ikrar explained. The government is strengthening standardisation and limiting nicotine and tar levels, boosting laboratory testing capacity, and increasing cross-sector collaboration and integrity of public health policy. ‘Public safety and health are the highest priority that cannot be negotiated,’ he asserted. Meanwhile, the Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Narcotics Laboratory Centre, Supiyanto, revealed that narcotics abuse via vape devices has occurred massively in Indonesia. He said the modus operandi includes clandestine labs and illicit distribution networks with the young generation as the primary targets. ‘The state must urgently intervene to stop the exploitation of vape as the main tool for narcotics abuse by banning the circulation of vape in Indonesia,’ Supiyanto stated. From an academic perspective, Ni Made Dian Kurniasari of the Faculty of Medicine at Udayana University presented a study on adolescents’ perceptions of packaging and the appeal of electronic cigarettes. She assessed that packaging design, flavour variety, and promotional strategies are key factors drawing youths to use vaping. Therefore, she urged strengthening regulations on advertising, promotion, sales, and standardisation of electronic cigarette packaging to reduce its appeal to children and adolescents. ‘There needs to be stronger communication, information, and education so that young people understand that electronic cigarettes are not a lifestyle symbol,’ she concluded. (Iam) Tjandra Yoga Aditama (PDPI) explained why Ramadan is the best time to quit smoking. See seven medical tips to break the addiction. Active smoking and second-hand smoke have been proven to trigger serious diseases, for both smokers and those around them. Currently, Sampoerna’s smoke-free product partnership programme has involved more than 600 local SMEs across 20 cities in Indonesia. Gum inflammation and tooth loss are common problems among active smokers. Smoking can weaken the supporting tissues and periodontal tissue. Cigarettes not only kill active smokers but also threaten the lives of passive smokers who inhale the smoke. Even if they do not smoke, they are exposed to toxic substances that trigger disease. BPOM has officially issued PerBPOM 5/2026 to monitor the sale of over-the-counter medicines in supermarkets and minimarkets to ensure safety and quality of products for the public. BPOM Denpasar has uncovered illicit distribution of dangerous medicines in Bali, disguising Trihexyphenidyl tablets in the packaging of cattle vitamin B Complex. BPOM and BNN have long cooperated and can continue to collaborate, including on vape misuse issues. This regulation governs the management of medicines in two categories of facilities: pharmaceutical service facilities and other facilities. This medicine has officially obtained marketing approval from BPOM for the indication of erosive esophagitis (erosive esophagitis/EE). Copyright © 2026 Media Group - mediaindonesia. All Rights Reserved