Agency says some vape liquids were found to contain illicit substances

Indonesia’s anti-narcotics agency is pushing for a broad ban on electronic cigarettes and vape liquids, arguing that the products are increasingly being misused as a channel for illicit substances rather than simply as nicotine devices.

BNN Pushes for a Full Ban
Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency, or BNN, has proposed a sweeping ban on electronic cigarettes, including vape liquids, under the country’s narcotics and psychotropic substances bill. BNN chief Suyudi Ario Seto presented the proposal to lawmakers and said the agency sees vaping products as a growing enforcement concern rather than only a public health issue.

Lab Findings Raised Alarm
Suyudi told lawmakers that laboratory testing of 341 vape liquid samples produced troubling results. According to the reported findings, 11 samples contained synthetic cannabinoids, one contained methamphetamine, and 23 contained etomidate, an anesthetic that has recently been classified under Indonesia’s narcotics-related regulations. BNN argues that these results show how vaping products can be adapted for misuse in ways that are harder to detect at first glance.

Current Rules Are Seen as Too Weak
BNN said one reason it wants tougher action is that existing enforcement under health laws carries lighter penalties, making it harder to deter abuse effectively. Suyudi argued that a stronger legal basis under narcotics legislation would give the government more room to act against the circulation of illicit compounds hidden inside vape products.

Regional Examples Are Part of the Argument
In making the case for tighter rules, Suyudi pointed to several ASEAN countries that already ban vapes outright, including Singapore, Brunei, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. He said Indonesia should consider a similar approach if it wants to reduce the circulation of harmful chemical substances and prevent devices from being repurposed for illegal use.

Broader Concerns Go Beyond Vapes Alone
BNN also tied the proposal to the wider spread of new psychoactive substances, saying 1,386 have been identified globally and 175 are already circulating in Indonesia. That broader context suggests the agency is framing the vape issue as part of a larger narcotics-control challenge, not just a stand-alone consumer product debate. Whether the proposal becomes law will depend on how lawmakers respond to BNN’s push in the months ahead.

BNN’s proposal shows that Indonesia is taking a harder look at vaping through the lens of narcotics enforcement and public safety. For Indonesians, the debate could shape not only access to vape products but also how the country responds to new forms of substance misuse. For Singaporeans, the development is another sign that Southeast Asian governments are increasingly willing to tighten controls when vaping is seen as overlapping with wider security and health risks.

Sources: EN Antara (2026) , Bernama (2026)

Keywords: Indonesia Vape Ban, BNN Proposal, Suyudi Ario Seto, Vape Liquids, Narcotics Bill, Etomidate, Synthetic Cannabinoids