Indonesia’s Narcotics Agency Proposes Total Vape Ban Following Discovery of Synthetic Drugs in Samples

Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency seeks a vaporizer ban after samples tested positive for methamphetamine and synthetic cannabinoids in Jakarta.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 15, 2026, 12:40 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

A Legislative Push to Eradicate Concealed Narcotics

The National Narcotics Agency, known as BNN, is formally advocating for the inclusion of a vaporizer ban within the narcotics and psychotropics Bill currently under deliberation by the House of Representatives. Suyudi Ario Seto, the head of BNN, informed lawmakers during a hearing on April 7 that the move is essential because electronic cigarettes have become a primary medium for drug consumption. This proposal aims to integrate strict regulations into the 2026 National Legislative Programme, specifically targeting the hardware used to facilitate substance abuse.

Laboratory Findings Reveal Dangerous Liquid Contaminants

During a recent oversight hearing with Commission III, the agency disclosed alarming results from its central laboratory involving the testing of 341 vape liquid samples. The investigation confirmed that 11 samples were spiked with synthetic cannabinoids, while another contained methamphetamine, a highly addictive class-1 narcotic. Furthermore, 23 samples tested positive for etomidate, an anesthetic typically reserved for surgical procedures. According to Suyudi, prohibiting the devices themselves would significantly disrupt the circulation of these dangerous substances, particularly etomidate, which was recently elevated to a class-2 narcotic status.

Regional Precedents and the Pursuit of Regional Alignment

Indonesian officials are looking toward their neighbors in the ASEAN bloc as a blueprint for these restrictive measures. The BNN leadership suggested that Indonesia should emulate the firm stances taken by nations like Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, and Laos, all of which have already implemented bans on vapes. Health experts, including Mouhammad Bigwanto of the Indonesian Health Policy Chamber, support the move, arguing that it allows the government to bypass the difficult task of distinguishing between safe and unsafe products by removing the medium entirely from the public sphere.