The Indonesian Vape Consumers Association (Akvindo) has criticized the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government’s Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on Smoke-Free Areas (KTR) for treating e-cigarettes (vapes) as equivalent to combustible tobacco. Akvindo Chairman, Paido Siahaan, stated that while they appreciate efforts to protect public health, equating the two products is an incorrect and flawed policy.
“Equating e-cigarettes with cigarettes in this regulation is inappropriate,” Paido said. He argued that vapes have different characteristics and risk profiles and should not be treated the same as burnt tobacco under policies like Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024. “E-cigarettes are alternative tobacco products that produce vapor, not smoke, so they do not produce harmful substances like tar and carbon monoxide,” he emphasized.
Paido cited scientific research, including a 2018 report from Public Health England (now UKHSA), which concluded that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products can reduce risk exposure by 90-95% compared to smoking. He warned that treating both products equally in the Raperda KTR could confuse the public, hinder smokers from switching to lower-risk alternatives, and limit consumers’ rights to access these products.
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