Vapeboss – Paido Siahaan, Chairman of the Indonesian Vape Consumers Association (AKVI), expressed his disappointment with the Smoke-Free Zone Regional Regulation (Perda KTR) that prohibits vape consumption and equates the risk profile of conventional cigarettes with HPTL (Tobacco Product Heater).

He stated that there is no research or scientific study underlying this prohibition. Moreover, such regulations will hinder the growth of the HPTL industry.

"One mayor said that the Perda KTR, which also prohibits vape consumption, was created because it contains TAR. This is clearly wrong and a policy based on personal opinion, as there is no single rule or study that can be used as a reference (stating that vape contains TAR)," said Paido.

Paido said that public rules or policies should be based on theory and science so that the quality of such laws can be measured and accounted for.

"Referring to Law 14/2008 concerning Public Information Disclosure, which guarantees citizens' right to be involved in public decision-making/policy processes, as well as the reasons for making a public decision," he said.

"From this, it appears that the Perda KTR is very vulnerable to legal challenges in the future," Paido added.

Last month, the Surabaya City Government began implementing Regional Regulation Number 2 of 2019 concerning Smoke-Free Zones. The sanctions contained in the regulation apply to violators who consume conventional cigarettes or vapes/e-cigarettes in designated smoke-free areas.

Surabaya Mayor, Eri Cahyadi, said that vapes are the same as conventional cigarettes, both containing nicotine and tar.

"So it's the same. Cigarettes are because of their smoke (containing nicotine and tar, ed.), including vape. So this is also the same, meaning there are places where smoking or vaping is not allowed," said Eri.

Source: Suarajakarta