Indonesian authorities will implement stringent new vaping regulations starting this July, raising the legal age to 21 and heavily restricting advertising in response to the alarming discovery of narcotics in e-liquids.
- Age Limit Increased: Vaping will be strictly prohibited for individuals under the age of 21.
- Narcotics Discovered: Lab tests of 341 e-liquids revealed the presence of synthetic cannabinoids, methamphetamine, and the anesthetic etomidate.
- Total Ban Proposed: The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) is urging the government to implement a complete ban on e-cigarettes to curb drug abuse.
The Indonesian Ministry of Health has announced that stricter e-cigarette regulations will take effect this July under Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024. This move aligns vape controls with conventional tobacco products in a direct response to rising youth usage and the alarming discovery of illicit narcotics hidden in e-liquids.
Ministry spokesperson Aji Muhawarman confirmed that the new framework aggressively targets youth access and product safety. Key mandates include:
- A minimum legal usage age of 21.
- Strict advertising restrictions, particularly on youth-oriented social media platforms.
- Mandatory pictorial health warnings on packaging.
- Enforced maximum nicotine limits and a ban on harmful additives.
- Prohibitions on vaping in designated smoke-free areas.
The regulatory tightening coincides with severe warnings from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN). BNN Chief Suyudi Ario Seto revealed that out of 341 tested e-liquid samples, authorities found 11 containing synthetic cannabinoids, one with methamphetamine, and 23 laced with etomidate—a highly addictive Category II narcotic anesthetic.
Arguing that current health law penalties are too lenient to deter abuse, Seto has proposed a complete ban on vapes, mirroring policies in neighboring ASEAN countries like Singapore and Thailand. Health experts, including lung specialist Faisal Yunus from the University of Indonesia, strongly support the tightened regulations to protect vulnerable youth from aggressive marketing and appealing flavors.
