Indonesia Proposes Vape Ban Under Narcotics Law

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) is pushing to classify e-cigarettes under strict narcotics legislation after laboratory tests revealed widespread contamination with synthetic cannabinoids and methamphetamine.

Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has proposed a blanket ban on e-cigarettes under the country’s narcotics law. Following alarming laboratory results showing vape liquids laced with illicit drugs, authorities are moving to align Indonesia with neighboring Southeast Asian nations that have already prohibited the devices to curb the distribution of new psychoactive substances.

BNN Laboratory Findings: Illicit Contamination

The push for a nationwide ban follows a series of alarming laboratory tests conducted by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN). The following table details the illicit substances discovered in the agency’s recent sampling of commercial vape liquids.

Substance Detected	Number of Contaminated Samples (Out of 341)
Etomidate (Anesthetic)	23
Synthetic Cannabinoids	11
Methamphetamine	1

The Shift to Criminal Enforcement

During a hearing with Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, BNN chief Suyudi Ario Seto described the trend of distributing narcotics via vape liquids as a “serious threat.” He likened the e-cigarette hardware to a bong used for methamphetamine, arguing that banning the device itself is the most effective way to control the circulation of these illicit compounds.

The proposal aims to revise the country’s existing narcotics and psychotropics laws. Currently, substances like etomidate—recently classified as a Group Two narcotic under Health Minister Regulation No. 15 of 2025—are enforced under health legislation, which carries significantly lighter penalties.

Read more: Singapore & Hong Kong Crack Down on Etomidate Vapes

A Regional Crackdown

The rapid evolution of new psychoactive substances (NPS) poses a severe challenge, with 175 variants already detected in Indonesia. By proposing to move e-cigarettes under the jurisdiction of narcotics law, Indonesia is signaling a definitive shift from public health regulation to strict criminal enforcement. If passed, Indonesia will join a growing bloc of Southeast Asian nations—including Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, and Laos—that have completely prohibited the circulation of vaping devices to combat the illicit drug trade.

News reference: Indonesia’s BNN proposes vape ban amid rising narcotics concerns

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Marcus Sterling

Marcus Sterling is a distinguished authority in the global vaping sector, with over 12 years of experience documenting the industry's evolution from a niche hobby to a mainstream lifestyle.

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