Industry Associations and Producers Respond to BNN's Vape Regulation and Nitrous Oxide Restrictions
Jakarta — Alternative tobacco product associations have expressed appreciation for the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) engaging in discussions on the regulation of electronic cigarettes (vapes) and the restriction of nitrous oxide (N₂O, commonly known as whip pink) use.
The BNN conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the Indonesian E-Liquid Producers Association (PPEI), the Indonesian Electronic Nicotine Delivery Alliance (APPNINDO), the Indonesian Vape Retail Association (ARVINDO), and the Indonesian Vape Workers Association (APVINDO).
The forum served as a constructive dialogue platform to ensure that policies controlling risk products are implemented in a measured manner, based on comprehensive analysis, and taking into account both health and economic impacts holistically.
National vape industry players conveyed their full support for the state’s efforts in combating narcotics and protecting public health. However, they argued that a total prohibition approach requires comprehensive review to ensure that policies adopted are well-targeted and do not produce counterproductive knock-on effects.
PPEI Chairman Daniel Boy Purwanto stated that the national e-liquid industry is fully committed to regulatory compliance and consumer safety.
“Products manufactured by domestic producers do not contain prohibited substances and are ready to be tested at any time by the relevant authorities as a form of industry transparency and responsibility,” said Daniel, as quoted from his statement on Friday, 20 February 2026.
In a similar vein, ARVINDO Chairman Fachmi Kurnia Firmansyah Siregar stated that licensed vape retailers in Indonesia only trade in legal, excise-stamped products. He argued that a total ban has the potential to drive the circulation of illegal products on the black market, which would be far more difficult to monitor and would actually increase risks to the public.
From the employment perspective, APVINDO Chairman Agung Prasojo emphasised that the discourse around a total ban on the legal vape industry would directly contradict the direction of national development.
“If the legal vape industry is banned entirely, such a policy would be contradictory to President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cipta programme, which emphasises increasing quality employment, encouraging entrepreneurship, developing creative industries, and strengthening the national economic ecosystem,” he said.
He added, “The legal vape industry currently employs approximately 100,000 workers from upstream to downstream and serves as a growth space for new entrepreneurs, particularly young people. Banning an industry that complies with the law and operates under state supervision is tantamount to eliminating legal employment, driving unemployment, and opening up greater space for illegal markets — which directly contradicts the spirit of Asta Cipta.”