Polda Metro Jaya's Response to the Vape Ban Proposal

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Metro Jaya Police Narcotics Directorate has responded to the proposal to ban the use of electronic cigarettes or vapes along with their liquids, stating that it requires in-depth discussion.

“Regarding the request to ban vapes, that is still just a proposal and needs in-depth discussion on the matter,” said the Head of the Narcotics Directorate of Metro Jaya Police, Senior Commissioner Pol Ahmad David, when met in Jakarta on Wednesday.

David, who also participated in a meeting with Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/4), mentioned that there has been no progress on the issue.

“So that’s what I can convey because there has indeed been no development; it was only raised yesterday in connection with discussions on amendments to the Narcotics and Psychotropics Law,” he said.

Previously, the Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Suyudi Ario Seto, proposed banning electronic cigarettes or vapes with their liquids to be regulated in the Draft Law (RUU) on Narcotics and Psychotropics.

He stated that Indonesia is now facing the phenomenon of the massive circulation of narcotic substances in vape form. Countries in the ASEAN region such as Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Laos, according to him, have already taken steps to ban the circulation of vapes.

“Based on laboratory tests by the BNN centre on 341 vape liquid samples, we found very shocking facts,” said Suyudi during the meeting with Commission III of DPR RI at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/4).

He explained that from testing 341 vape liquid samples, his agency found 11 samples containing synthetic cannabinoids (synthetic cannabis compounds), one sample containing methamphetamine or sabu, and 23 samples proven to contain etomidate (an anaesthetic drug).

In addition, he said that the development of narcotic substances is now moving very quickly. Currently, 1,386 new psychoactive substances (NPS) have been identified circulating worldwide. In Indonesia itself, 175 types of NPS have already been identified.

Regarding etomidate in vape liquids, according to him, Minister of Health Regulation Number 15 of 2025 has officially included etomidate in the list of second-group narcotics. However, enforcement against such cases can only use health laws, which carry lighter penalties.