Reasons Behind the Discourse on Banning Electronic Cigarettes or Vapes

The discourse on banning electronic cigarettes or vapes in Indonesia has emerged after the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) discovered the misuse of vape liquids as a medium for consuming new types of narcotics, such as etomidate. This finding serves as one of the bases for BNN to push for a vape ban in the discussions on the Narcotics and Psychotropics Bill. BNN Chief Suyudi Ario Seto stated that laboratory tests on hundreds of vape liquid samples confirmed that some contained harmful substances. “It is a major hope for BNN that a vape ban can be implemented in Indonesia, as vapes have been proven to be misused as a medium for filling with etomidate,” Suyudi said during a hearing with Commission III of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (7/4/2026). According to Suyudi, this situation positions vapes as a potential new “aid” in drug trafficking. “If vapes as this medium are banned, the circulation of etomidate can also be significantly curbed,” he added. In illegal practices, etomidate is packaged in liquid or powder form and disguised as vape liquid or electronic cigarette cartridges. Use outside of medical supervision can cause various harmful effects, such as: Health authority reports in Singapore have also recorded cases of teenagers experiencing serious disorders after inhaling vapes containing etomidate.