RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Suyudi Ario Seto, has raised concerns over the misuse of nitrous oxide (N2O), commonly known as laughing gas, in Whip Pink canisters. He said the substance is often consumed to induce temporary euphoria, which poses serious health risks.

Suyudi explained that nitrous oxide has legitimate uses in the medical and food industries. However, the agency is worried about its distribution among young people for recreational purposes. 

“This substance, this gas, is being misused by our community or our children for euphoria, for instant pleasure. The BNN continues to cooperate with other stakeholders to monitor its distribution, because this substance is not classified as a narcotic under current regulations,” he said in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

He noted that nitrous oxide has strong stimulant effects on users, and excessive misuse can be fatal. The government has urged parents to strengthen supervision of their children’s social activities, as illegal use of Whip Pink often ignores its original function as an ingredient in culinary products. “Whip Pink is a substance used both for medical and food products, such as coffee, bread, cakes, and so on,” Suyudi said.

Expert teams are conducting a comprehensive study of the legal status of nitrous oxide under national regulations. BNN has not yet classified the gas as a narcotic, pending the results of the latest scientific research.

Suyudi’s statement followed questions from Abdullah, a lawmaker from the House of Representatives’ Commission III, who highlighted various methods of distributing intoxicating substances. He pointed to the halal label on Whip Pink canisters, which he said could mislead young consumers.

Another Commission III lawmaker, Rikwanto, compared the Whip Pink phenomenon with the misuse of Aibon glue. 

Aibon glue, produced by PT Aica Indonesia since 1974, is a yellow adhesive packaged in small metal cans and widely sold in stationery and hardware stores. Its main ingredient is toluene, a solvent that produces intoxicating fumes when inhaled. Misuse of Aibon glue as an inhalant began in the late 1970s and has persisted among lower-income communities due to its low price and easy availability.

Rikwanto argued that nitrous oxide has become a lifestyle trend among the upper-middle class. “Aibon glue is for the lower-class society because it is cheaper. Meanwhile, Whip Pink is for the upper-middle class because its price can be higher,” he said.

He stressed that Whip Pink is used to make users feel “high” or temporarily unconscious, and urged BNN to clarify its legal status. “Perhaps Suyudi can explain Whip Pink’s status in relation to narcotics,” he said. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)