A December 2022 regulation from Indonesia’s Finance Ministry created a dedicated 10% excise tax on e-cigarettes and vape liquids alongside around 10% increased levies on traditional cigarettes. Justification cites leveling the playing field across nicotine categories.

This policy aligns with recent stern government health warnings over emerging vaping risks – including official declarations equating e-cigarette hazards to smoking despite contrary global evidence.

Some public health experts argue Indonesia should instead tax cigarettes higher given indisputable links to disease and applying similar cost deterrence measures against reduced risk alternatives illogically implies risk equivalence.