JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, has expressed full support for the proposal by the Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, to ban the circulation of vapes in Indonesia due to the high potential for drug-related abuse.

Minister Yandri noted that vaping is currently popular among the younger generation and specific demographics, with a population that continues to trend upward.

"Therefore, I agree with the BNN Head's proposal because the potential for vapes to be misused for narcotics is real," said Minister Yandri.

He emphasized that a vape ban should be backed by clear legal regulations to protect the public from the latent dangers of drugs. Minister Yandri also appreciated the suggestion to include the vape ban in the Narcotics Bill (RUU Narkotika), which is currently being discussed by Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR).

"Currently, narcotics have already targeted village areas. Thus, this must become a major concern for all of us," stated the former Vice Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR RI).

To combat this, he urged that the "Desa Bersinar" (Drug-Free Village) program initiated by BNN be intensified to serve as a fortress for villages against the dangers of drugs. The task force formed for the Desa Bersinar program needs to increase collaboration with all village residents to ensure there is no room for narcotics in rural areas.

Previously, BNN Head Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto revealed BNN's findings regarding vape liquid samples.

"We are currently faced with the phenomenon of massive distribution of narcotics in the form of vapes or electronic cigarettes. Based on laboratory tests of 341 vape liquid samples by the BNN central lab, we discovered shocking facts," Suyudi stated during a meeting with Commission III of the DPR.

He revealed that 11 samples contained cannabinoids (marijuana), while one sample contained methamphetamine (crystal meth). He mentioned that BNN also found etomidate, an anesthetic agent, within the tested vape samples.

He warned that narcotics are evolving rapidly, noting that 175 types of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) have already been identified in Indonesia.

Teks: Firman/Kemendes PDT