Public health experts are calling on Indonesia to strictly regulate or even ban e-cigarettes.

Several health organizations have called on the Indonesian Ministry of Health to quickly adopt regulations mandating graphic health warnings and standardized packaging for e-cigarettes, while also banning their online advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. This demand comes amid a rise in the use of these products among young people.[1].

Health experts urge people not to underestimate the harmful and addictive nature of vaping, which is particularly attractive to young people.

The call was issued by the Indonesian Chamber of Health Policy (RUKKI), the Tobacco Control Support Center – Indonesian Association of Public Health Experts (TCSC–IAKMI), and the Center for Strategic Development Initiatives in Indonesia (CISDI). According to these organizations, stricter and more consistent regulations are needed to protect young people from nicotine addiction in all its forms and the long-term health risks.

This stance comes after the publication of a report by the National Agency for Research and Innovation (BRIN), explaining that electronic cigarettes are combustion-free products, delivering nicotine through an aerosol produced by heating a liquid containing nicotine, flavors and various other chemicals, which are «safer» than traditional tobacco.

Public health experts warn that this narrative can be misleading if oversimplified. Combating tobacco use is essential in Indonesia, where consumption and harm are particularly high. However, health professionals emphasize the importance of recognizing that the marketing of all these new products primarily targets young people, and as such, these products are not harmless. According to Kiki Soewarso, administrator of TCSC–IAKMI, the public must exercise critical thinking, noting that there is no safe exposure threshold for the addictive or harmful substances found in tobacco products and e-cigarettes.[2], which also emit ultrafine particles and expose people to a high risk of nicotine addiction.

Experts point out that laboratory tests sometimes understate the concentrations of certain substances and are used selectively by industry to reassure the public. These tests do not always reflect the actual effects on public health.

Health organizations also report misuse, including liquids mixed with illegal addictive substances or synthetic narcotics, such as etomidate.

According to the signatory organizations, colorful packaging inspired by lifestyle codes, sometimes resembling everyday consumer goods or snacks, contributes to attracting young people and normalizing e-cigarettes, presenting them as trendy items rather than addictive and risky products. They fear the consequences will lead to a rise in traditional smoking, having observed combined use of conventional and e-cigarettes and a simultaneous increase in both smoking and vaping among teenagers.

The 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) report for Indonesia found a tenfold increase in the prevalence of e-cigarette use in just one decade, rising from 0.3 million e-cigarettes in 2011 to 3 million in 2021. In total, approximately 6.6 million people aged 15 and over use e-cigarettes.[3].

The worsening situation regarding the prevalence of both e-cigarettes and traditional tobacco products, particularly among young people, underscores the absence of a spillover effect sometimes cited. Data from the 2023 National Health Survey, published by the Ministry of Health, indicates that approximately 70 million people smoke in Indonesia, including 7.4 million aged 10 to 18. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey also reports an increase in smoking among 13- to 15-year-olds, rising from 18.3 million in 2016 to 19.2 million in 2019. Young people aged 15 to 19 now constitute the largest group of smokers, followed by children aged 10 to 14.

Strict regulation of vaping and its marketing is necessary.

Indonesia has never ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and is among the countries where the influence of the tobacco industry is most pervasive.

Health groups are calling on authorities to strengthen regulatory enforcement, oversight, and transparency to address current shortcomings. RUKKI, TCSC–IAKMI, and CISDI reiterate that the state has a constitutional obligation to ensure that implemented policies prioritize public health, not industry interests.

They are calling, in particular, for illustrated health warnings and plain packaging for all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Current regulations fall far short of best practices: only cigarette packs display a health warning, limited to 40% of the pack's surface area, which remains a heavily marketed package.[4].

They also call for a ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship for all tobacco and electronic cigarette products, particularly on social media.

For its part, the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency (BNN RI) has officially recommended a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes, following laboratory tests that revealed nearly a quarter (23.97%) of the e-liquid samples analyzed contained Class I and II narcotics. Beyond these specific findings, the Agency explained that vaping itself is dangerous to health, with several studies demonstrating its harmful effects on the respiratory and nervous systems.[5].

For now, Indonesia appears less restrictive than other countries in the Southeast Asian region that have already banned electronic cigarettes, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and possibly the Philippines.

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[1]Endang Mulyani, Health Groups Urge Govt to Regulate E-Cigarette Packaging, Jakarta Globe, published February 19, 2026, accessed February 20, 2026

[2]Bambang, Perlu Penguatan Regulasi dan Penegakan Hukum terhadap Rokok Elektronik demi Lindungi Generasi Muda, Palpos, published on February 20, 2026, accessed the same day

[3]Bareskrim Dorong BPOM Permudah Aturan Pengadaan Test Kit Deteksi Etomidate Pada Vape, Cakra News, published on February 19, 2026, accessed on February 20, 2026

[4]Cigarette Package Health Warnings – International Status Report, Canadian Cancer Society, published in October 2025, accessed on February 20, 2026

[5]Arman Praditya, BNN RI Rekomendasikan Larangan Vape Nasional Setelah Temuan Narkoba di 24% Sampel Liquid, Aceh Ground, published on February 20, 2026, accessed the same day

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