Indonesia’s National Police (Polri) have banned all officers and civilian staff from using electronic cigarettes or vapes, including outside working hours, over concerns that the devices could be misused to distribute illegal drugs.
According to Antara News, the prohibition is outlined in National Police Chief Circular Letter No. SE/9/X/2026, issued last Friday and applicable to all personnel under the police force.
Polri Public Relations Division head Inspector-General Johnny Eddizon Isir said the move was a preventive measure in response to increasingly sophisticated methods of drug abuse and distribution.
He explained that vape devices could potentially be used to conceal narcotics in liquid form by mixing the substances into cartridges.
“Vape devices have the potential to be misused as a medium for narcotics abuse and distribution, including through liquids mixed into cartridges.
“This is a serious concern because, physically, it is not always possible to distinguish ordinary liquid from liquid containing narcotics,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
Johnny said one substance under scrutiny was etomidate, which is classified as a Group II narcotic under Indonesia’s Health Minister Regulation No. 15 of 2025.
The ban applies to all personnel across the National Police Headquarters, provincial police departments (Polda), district police departments (Polres) and sector police stations (Polsek).
Officers who violate the directive may face disciplinary action under existing regulations.
Johnny said the policy demonstrated that efforts to combat drugs should not focus solely on enforcing the law against members of the public, but must also begin within law enforcement institutions themselves.
“We hope this initiative, which begins within Polri, can set an example for other institutions and members of society to follow.
“Combating drugs requires a shared commitment, not only through law enforcement but also through prevention and changes in behaviour,” he said.
He added that the policy was also intended to foster a more disciplined, professional and ethical working environment within the police force.
