inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has declared that e-cigarettes, or vapes, are a new gateway to drugs.

"We have found undeniable facts that vapes have become an effective means or new medium for consuming narcotics and new psychoactive substances (NPS)," said BNN Head Suyudi Ario Seto on Wednesday (2/18/2026).

Based on the BNN's findings, Suyudi emphasized that the narrative of vapes as a smoking cessation tool is an illusion that has not been scientifically proven. Instead, vapes have become a new gateway for drug consumption.

He also explained that the contents of vapes cannot be immediately identified when used, including the aroma of the smoke emitted by the device. 

"They can use them anywhere, especially if they are fragrant. So, without knowing it, people might be consuming narcotics," Suyudi continued.

According to him, e-cigarettes are the perfect way to hide and transform from conventional tools such as the use of addictive substances like methamphetamine in bongs.

Many vape products contain addictive substances such as liquid methamphetamine, etomidate, and other new drugs. "This is the problem. It seems like people are vaping, like smoking, or smoking an e-cigarette, but it's actually liquid methamphetamine. It contains etomidate, a narcotic-type chemical substance," he explained.

Suyudi explained that vape e-liquids contain class I and II narcotics, including nicotine, propylene, glycol, glycerin, and a number of addictive substances in a chemical cocktail.

"From a chemical substance perspective, vape e-liquids are a chemical cocktail. They contain nicotine, propylene, glycol, glycerin, vegetable oils, and flavorings such as diacetyl, acetylpyridine, and benzaldehyde, which pose high health risks," he concluded.

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