West Java prepares rules banning vapes to prevent their misuse in narcotics distribution

Bandung (ANTARA) – The West Java Provincial Government is preparing regulations prohibiting all civil servants from using electronic cigarettes, or vapes, to protect health and prevent the devices from potentially being misused to distribute narcotics.

Dedi Supandi, head of the West Java Regional Civil Service Agency, said in Bandung on Thursday that a circular banning vape use by provincial government personnel was being processed. It will cover civil servants, government employees on fixed-term contracts and non-civil-service staff.

The ban will also be promoted through various publications, including a flyer entitled “West Java Civil Servants Without Vapes”.

“Clearly, if the government or an institution has said it is prohibited, then as civil servants we will comply with that prohibition. In fact, the planned circular on this matter has already been issued,” Dedi said.

He said the ban would apply to all employees of the West Java Provincial Government without exception, in order to strengthen smoke-free areas and create a healthy working environment.

“The aim is to protect the health of employees and the public, prevent the misuse of narcotics, uphold smoke-free areas, and build a workplace culture that applies to all employment statuses without exception,” Dedi said.

Although the circular is being drafted, the Regional Civil Service Agency and the provincial government’s Legal Bureau are still finalising technical details, particularly whether the prohibition will apply only on government premises and during working hours or extend to employees’ private time as well.

Their discussions also cover how violations will be handled, employee guidance and disciplinary enforcement, in line with relevant laws and regulations and the rules applicable to each employment status.

“The discussion with the Legal Bureau is about whether it applies only in the workplace or more generally. That is one of the considerations, including its relationship with smoke-free area regulations,” he said.

On sanctions, Dedi said employees who breach the rule would not automatically face disciplinary punishment. Cases would first be handled in stages by their respective government departments.