Vapes as Gateway to Drugs, DPR: Tighten Supervision

Plans for a total ban on the circulation of electronic cigarettes (vapes) proposed by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) have drawn criticism from DPR RI member Bambang Haryo Soekartono. Bambang deems the proposal inappropriate as it could harm micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) and indicates that the supervisory and preventive functions against narcotics by law enforcement are not yet optimal. Bambang states that indications of the misuse of illegal vape liquids as a medium for drug distribution should be addressed through strengthened supervision and detection, rather than a comprehensive ban on the product. According to him, the emergence of narcotics cases in illegal vapes actually shows that prevention efforts by BNN and the police still need to be improved. “This means the duties of BNN and the police are still not optimal in prevention,” Bambang said in a written statement on Monday, 20 April 2026. He emphasises that the primary task of authorities is to ensure that products circulating in society are not contaminated with prohibited substances. Therefore, he says, what should be eradicated is the narcotics, not the vape product itself. Bambang also illustrates that if a ban is imposed merely due to misuse loopholes, then public facilities like ports and airports should also be closed because they serve as drug trafficking routes. However, he considers such a step unreasonable as it would have a major impact on the economy. “It’s the same with sea ports; should they be closed just because they are drug routes? If unable to supervise, don’t sacrifice the industry,” he asserted. Furthermore, he assesses that the use of vapes as a drug medium cannot be used as a reason to ban the entire product. He notes that drug circulation in Indonesia reaches hundreds of tonnes per year, and most of it is not related to vapes. According to Bambang, detecting narcotics in vape liquids or devices is relatively easy if supervision is conducted meticulously and in an integrated manner. Thus, strengthening the supervisory system is deemed more effective than a total ban. In addition, he highlights the potential economic impact of the policy. The vape industry is seen to have absorbed a large number of workers and has the potential for continued growth. Data from the Indonesian E-liquid Producers Association projects that the electronic cigarette industry could absorb 210,000 to 280,000 workers by 2030, with annual growth of 1–3 percent. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Personal Vaporizer Association records that the industry has covered more than 1,500 members and absorbed around 100,000 to 150,000 workers by 2025.