MP praises North Sumatra Governor’s ban on civil servants using vapes

Medan (ANTARA) – Hinca Pandjaitan, a member of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR), has praised North Sumatra Governor Bobby Afif Nasution’s policy banning civil servants from using electronic cigarettes, or vapes, as part of efforts to prevent narcotics abuse.

He said the policy was an appropriate preventive measure, as North Sumatra remains Indonesia’s province with the highest level of drug use.

“Firm action is needed to eradicate drugs, including within government institutions,” Hinca said in Medan, North Sumatra, on Sunday.

He said the ban on civil servants using vapes had also received praise from National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto, who this week described Bobby Afif Nasution as the first governor to take action to prevent narcotics abuse involving liquid substances.

The ban applies to civil servants, non-civil-service staff and employees of regionally owned enterprises (BUMD). It is set out in North Sumatra Governor’s Instruction No. 188.54/3/INST/2026 on the Prohibition of Vapes or Electronic Cigarettes in North Sumatra, issued to all regents and mayors in the province on 3 June 2026.

“The governor’s instruction calls for monitoring and the imposition of disciplinary sanctions on officials who violate it, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations,” he said.

Hinca said preventive measures such as this should be supported, and that the government must protect the public, particularly young people, from the threat of drugs.

“Government institutions must also set an example by implementing policies intended to protect the public,” he said.

He added that the policy showed the government was not relying solely on enforcement after crimes had taken place, but was also seeking to reduce opportunities for narcotics abuse at an early stage.

He said vaping had become a concern in Indonesia because e-cigarette liquid could potentially be misused to conceal narcotic substances.

“Most importantly, this policy must be implemented consistently and accompanied by monitoring. The rules must not remain just words on paper. Public information efforts are also needed so that all officials understand the purpose of the ban and comply with it,” he said.

Hinca called for the governor’s circular to be upgraded into a legal instrument or regional regulation, which would allow stricter monitoring and enforcement against violators.

“I appreciate and fully support North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution’s move to ban civil servants from using vapes,” Hinca said.