Prabowo Does Not Hesitate to Impose Total Vape Ban if Still Used for Narcotics

President Prabowo Subianto has issued a firm directive regarding the governance of electronic cigarettes or vapes. In a speech read by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago at the International Anti-Narcotics Day commemoration in Lido, Bogor, on Thursday (23/7/2026), Prabowo instructed relevant authorities to immediately convene and tighten regulations. “Today I instruct the Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the Minister of Health, the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Law, the Head of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), and the Director General of Customs and Excise to sit together promptly, formulate, and strictly reorganise the trade governance of electronic cigarettes in Indonesia,” Prabowo stated. He demanded layered supervision of vape distribution channels and emphasised that he would not hesitate to impose a total ban if vapes are misused for narcotics. “Implement layered supervision on import and distribution channels. If the joint study shows that this commodity poses more risks and continues to be used as a gateway for new types of narcotics, I order you not to hesitate to enforce a total ban on vapes in Indonesia,” he said. The President stressed that public safety is the highest law in the country, citing the principle ‘Salus populi suprema lex esto’. He also expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in narcotics eradication efforts, from central government ministries and regional leaders to the private sector, religious and traditional leaders, and the wider community.