President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia could impose a total ban on electronic cigarettes if a joint government review concludes they pose greater risks and keep serving as a gateway for new narcotics, according to Antara News.
Prabowo made the remarks in late July, and a follow-up government meeting in early August was planned to strengthen cross-sector cooperation on narcotics trafficking that involves vape products. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has proposed a complete prohibition on vapes and reported rising seizures of drug-laced e-cigarettes, with synthetic narcotics detected in vape liquids.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs issued a formal warning to YouTube over vape livestream content involving minors. The Child Protection Commission (KPAI) urged police to take legal action over the alleged involvement of minors in vape promotions on social media.
Indonesian tobacco groups have opposed the proposed controls, including standardized packaging and e-cigarette restrictions. The existing regulatory framework adds tobacco tax tiers rather than restricting the category.
The concern extends regionally. Malaysia reports that 73% of drug abuse cases involve synthetic drug-laced vapes, according to law enforcement data, while Vietnam has enacted a nationwide vape ban with an enforcement framework in place and Bangladesh has enacted a full ban on e-cigarettes.
Sources
– Tempo English (July 22, 2026): Indonesia backs BNN proposal for total ban on vapes – Antara News (August 4, 2026): Indonesia warns of drug-laced vapes, seeks stronger controls – Antara News (July 22, 2026): Indonesia warns vape ban over drug abuse – Tobacco Reporter (July 23, 2026): Indonesia considering vape ban over drug abuse – Tobacco Reporter (July 24, 2026): Indonesian tobacco groups oppose new controls
Kevin Li — Founder & Editor, VapeObservation.com Kevin reviews vape products hands-on, prioritizing real-world performance over manufacturer claims. His goal: honest, practical advice that helps everyday vapers make informed choices. Before launching VapeObservation, he was a longtime vaper frustrated by promotional content disguised as reviews. Every article on the site reflects his commitment to data-driven, reader-first testing.
