BALINEWSID.COM, JAKARTA — The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has called for stronger regulations governing the distribution of electronic cigarettes, or vapes, amid concerns over their potential use as a means of distributing and abusing dangerous substances.

The proposal was presented by BNN Deputy for Community Empowerment Aldrin M.P. Hutabarat during a meeting on e-cigarette distribution policy held at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK) in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (Sept. 9, 2026).

The meeting brought together representatives from several government institutions, including Kemenko PMK, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, BNN, the Ministry of Trade, the Food and Drug Authority (BPOM), the National Police, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, and the Presidential Staff Office.

During the meeting, BNN presented data on drug seizures recorded throughout 2026. The agency said it had seized 8,276.15 milliliters of etomidate, 3,485 vape cartridges, 1.3 tons of ketamine, 3.37 tons of cannabis flower, 2.6 tons of liquid methamphetamine, and 800 kilograms of ketamine hydrochloride (HCL).

Among the major cases cited by BNN was the seizure of 3.37 tons of cannabinoid flower in Gresik, East Java, in July 2026. In August, BNN seized 1.3 tons of ketamine and separately uncovered 2.6 tons of liquid methamphetamine in the Riau Islands.

BNN also reported drug-related operations in several other provinces, including North Sumatra, Bali, Jambi and Maluku.

Aldrin said the findings were a serious concern because they indicated the potential misuse of electronic cigarettes as a medium for distributing dangerous substances.

“The high circulation of liquid narcotics will certainly increase the number of people abusing narcotics and addictive substances, which will have adverse impacts not only on public health but also on other aspects,” Aldrin said.

He said the growing circulation of narcotics and addictive substances in liquid form could have broader social and economic consequences for the country.

If not addressed promptly, he said, the government could face greater costs, including expenses for rehabilitation of drug users, incarceration of couriers and dealers, and healthcare costs associated with people exposed to the substances.

Based on these considerations, BNN proposed a total ban on electronic cigarettes through a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) as one policy option to prevent the wider misuse of dangerous substances through such products.

However, BNN stressed that the proposal remains part of an ongoing interagency policy discussion and has not yet become a final government policy.

The agency said a comprehensive assessment involving all relevant stakeholders would be necessary to ensure that any policy ultimately adopted is supported by strong evidence and data and can be properly accounted for.