Bogor, Jawa Barat, July 23 -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the government could impose a total ban on electronic cigarettes or vapes if a joint review finds it pose greater risks and continue to be used as a gateway for new types of narcotics.

"If that is the case, I instruct to not hesitate in imposing a total ban on vapes in Indonesia," Prabowo said in a speech delivered on his behalf by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago during the commemoration of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse in Bogor, West Java, on Thursday.

The safety and welfare of the people are the supreme law, he added, citing the legal maxim salus populi suprema lex esto .

He also instructed the National N...