Whip Pink Abuse: National Narcotics Agency Pushes for Strict Regulation
The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has addressed the growing phenomenon of nitrous oxide (N2O), known as Whip Pink, circulating among young people. BNN Chief Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto highlighted the unregulated sale of the substance at entertainment venues.
“This includes what is currently trending — N2O gas, known as Whip Pink, which is actually intended for food preparation, coffee flavouring, and similar purposes,” said Suyudi whilst opening a focus group discussion on the Regulation of Electronic Cigarettes (Vapes) and Restrictions on Dinitrogen Oxide (Whip Pink) Use, held at the BNN headquarters in East Jakarta on Wednesday (18/2/2026).
However, the substance — which is legitimately used for medical purposes (anaesthesia) and as a food additive — is frequently misused to achieve a brief sensation of euphoria.
“Young people use Whip Pink to get a momentary sensation of intoxication or a ‘high’,” said Suyudi.
He noted that some entertainment venues even offer package deals that include whipping as one of the items, without any clear regulatory framework.
“What is even more alarming, and absurd frankly, is that Whip Pink is sold freely inside entertainment venues. Some operate a package system — you walk in and you’re given Whip Pink. It’s insane that it has reached that point,” Suyudi revealed.
Suyudi therefore called upon all government bodies and relevant stakeholders to urgently formulate strict regulations to curb the distribution of Whip Pink outside its intended purposes. The objective is to establish a proper legal framework for enforcement action in the field.
“This must also encompass anticipatory measures against the circulation of Whip Pink,” he added.
“Our struggle today is a struggle for the civilisation of the future. We do not wish to bequeath a generation that resembles zombies due to narcotics disguised in the form of vapour,” he concluded.
Whip Pink Sales Using B2B Scheme to Evade BPOM
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the National Police has uncovered the distribution methods for Whip Pink. Police said the product had previously been sold openly on social media.
“Besides direct competition, they were also trading Whip Pink through several accounts. As of today, those accounts have been shut down, as they were closed by Komdigi [the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs],” said Kombes Zulkarnain Harahap, Deputy Director III of the Narcotics Directorate at Bareskrim, at the BNN headquarters in East Jakarta on Wednesday (18/2/2026).
Zulkarnain said the circulation of Whip Pink continues, with distributors having altered their operational patterns. Sellers are now using fictitious business-to-business (B2B) transaction schemes.
He explained that the use of business entity forms is deliberately employed to circumvent regulations set by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). BPOM strictly regulates the retail sale of propellant gas for whipped cream as a food additive.
However, when transactions are conducted under an inter-company or B2B framework, a regulatory gap opens up because the product is classified as an industrial raw material or large-scale use item rather than a retail product.
“But this is no longer regulated by BPOM. This means no distribution permit is required because it is classified as business-to-business. It appears as though large quantities are being sold to restaurants for small sprays as toppings. This is where we face our challenge,” he said.
Whip Pink packages are priced in the range of Rp 1.2 to 1.5 million. Zulkarnain stated that the misuse of Whip Pink has been rampant since last year.
Health Impact: Whip Pink Intoxication and the Heart
Social media users have also been actively discussing the misuse of Whip Pink. The device is used to achieve a “high” sensation as it contains nitrous oxide (N2O), which is inhaled directly by users.
In the medical field, however, N2O is not a substance that can be used indiscriminately. Reckless use can have fatal consequences for bodily organs.
Cardiac specialist Dr Vito Damay, SpJP(K), FIHA, FICA, emphasised that uncontrolled inhalation of laughing gas can pose fatal risks to the cardiovascular system.
“N2O can indeed stimulate the heart and blood vessel system. This stimulation can also produce rapid effects,” Dr Vito said.
He added that such stimulation has the potential to suppress myocardial activity — the heart muscle — and cause vasoconstriction, or narrowing of the blood vessels.
“The potential risks that may arise include suppression of myocardial (heart muscle) activity and constriction or narrowing of blood vessels. It’s not a heart attack, but cardiac arrest,” he added.