Health Ministry seeks protection for children from vape ads

The Health Ministry is calling for children to be protected from exposure to and promotion of electronic cigarettes on social media after a case emerged involving a content creator who allegedly involved a child in vape promotion during a livestream. Aji Muhawarman, head of the ministry’s Bureau of Communication and Public Information, said the protection is set out in Article 151 of Health Law No. 17 of 2023 and reinforced by Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024, including restrictions on advertising, promotion, sponsorship and sales. The ministry stressed that vape still contains addictive nicotine and chemicals linked to the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and lung disease. The case surfaced after YouTuber Muhammad Jannah, alias Bigmo, was reported to police. Komdigi also plans to summon YouTube after first sending the platform a formal warning letter.