The Indonesian Vape Retailers Association (Arvindo) instructed all member stores to stop selling e-cigarettes to customers under 21, requiring retailers to display 21+ signage, and verify age with valid identification.
Arvindo Chairman Fachmi Kurnia said the move supports the government’s efforts to curb youth access, a position echoed by the Tar and Smoke Free Movement (Gebrak), which maintains that alternative tobacco products should be reserved for adult smokers.
Arvindo also urged policymakers to adopt science-based regulation and consider vaping’s harm-reduction potential, citing a 2025 JAMA Network study showing e-cigarettes were the most commonly used quit aid in England.
Meanwhile, Gebrak Chairman Garindra Kartasasmita said e-cigarette retailers should play a more active role in educating consumers about the health risks of smoke and tar, while providing full information about alternative products.
The call comes as Indonesia faces persistently high smoking rates, with government data estimating 70 million active smokers, including significant youth prevalence.
Global youth survey data also showed smoking prevalence among students aged 13-15 rose from 18.3% in 2016 to 19.2% in 2019, with the highest rates seen among those aged 15-19.
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