RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta — The Indonesian National Narcotics Agency (BNN) is pushing for a policy shift aimed at tighter controls, including restricting the circulation of electronic cigarettes (vapes) and "whipping" gases like Nitrous Oxide. In a discussion held at Jakarta, on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, Head of BNN, emphasized that the push for tighter control is a response to organized crime syndicates using modern delivery systems to mask illegal substances. The agency argues that the current lack of a rigid legal framework for vaping products has created a dangerous "loop hole" for national security and public health.

The urgency of this proposal is backed by significant enforcement data from January 2026. On January 6, a joint operation between BNN, Customs (DG Bea Cukai), and Immigration successfully dismantled a network that attempted to smuggle high-potency narcotics disguised as standard vape liquid. This was followed by another major bust on January 16 involving the illegal distribution of Nitrous Oxide (N2O), a gas typically used in food production but increasingly abused for its hallucinogenic high. BNN officials warned that the neurological damage caused by the misuse of these substances is often irreversible and fatal, necessitating a "proactive" approach to preemptively cut off distribution channels.

A similar phenomenon can also be seen in the abuse of a product known as Whip Pink, which contains nitrous oxide gas. According to the agency, this substance is often abused to obtain a euphoric high. However, repeated use in excessive doses can cause serious neurological effects, including nerve damage, cognitive impairment, and the risk of permanent damage.

“The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) sees that electronic cigarettes or vapes are no longer just electronic nicotine delivery devices, but have been increasingly used as a medium for the distribution and abuse of narcotics and new psychoactive substances (NPS),” Commissioner General Suyudi said.

Under the proposed recommendations, BNN is advocating for a collaborative effort among stakeholders to implement strict limitations on vape circulation and standardized consumption rules for inhalants. The agency intends to push for regulations that would treat vapes not just as tobacco alternatives but as potential vessels for synthetic drugs.

“The policy direction we want to promote together is a recommendation for strict regulations or restrictions on the distribution of vapes or electronic cigarettes in Indonesia, as well as the consumption of whipping cream, which is permitted in accordance with applicable regulations,” Commissioner General Suyudi stated.

With this, Indonesia joined other countries in restricting vapes. In Southeast Asia, Singapore and Thailand have banned it completely, while several other countries in the world have placed restrictions on the distribution of vape.