Jakarta, 10 July 2019 – JUUL Labs, the leading ENDS brand in the U.S., today announces the launch of its JUUL vapor device and JUULpods in Indonesia. The launch marks the next step in the company’s mission to help improve the lives of the world’s one billion adult smokers by offering an innovative alternative to combustible cigarettes. In an exclusive partnership with PT Jagad Utama Lestari (PT JUL), a subsidiary of Erajaya, JUUL products and devices will now be available for Indonesian adult smokers looking to switch from combustible cigarettes.
JUUL Labs Inc. was co-founded by Adam Bowen and James Monsees. Once smokers themselves, they were increasingly dissatisfied with the health and social impacts of cigarettes but were unable to find true alternatives. They started designing concepts for alternatives in the mid-2000s whilst at Stanford. It was in 2015 that JUUL was first launched in the U.S., after a decade of research and development.
Created with smokers in mind, JUUL is a simple, functional and portable device with unique technology. Through a closed vaping system with pods and a patented temperature control design, it provides users with a consistent experience. Without buttons or switches, the JUUL provides a clean experience, free from ash and odor. JUUL’s design, functionality and experience provide a true viable alternative for Indonesian adult smokers looking to switch.
James Monsees, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at JUUL Labs said, “At JUUL Labs, our global mission is to improve the lives of the world's one billion adult smokers and we are showing signs of success in achieving our mission in the markets in which we operate. In the U.S., we are seeing that many smokers have switched to the less harmful alternatives. We hope that our product presence in Indonesia can provide an alternative for adult smokers who are willing to switch from combustible cigarettes."
In fact, Indonesia is home to over 67 million adult smokers, which makes up over 30% of the adult population. This number makes Indonesia the country with the third largest smoker population in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports in 2018 that 225,720 people die every year due to tobacco-caused diseases, which makes up 14.7% of all deaths. Every year, the economic cost of smoking in Indonesia can reach IDR 600 trillion, which includes direct costs related to healthcare expenditures and indirect cost related to lost productivity due to mortality and morbidity.
Kent Sarosa, Country General Manager JUUL Labs Indonesia said: "Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death in Indonesia. It is JUUL’s vision to significantly reduce the rapid growth of smokers in the country by offering smokers an alternative that innovatively less harmful to combustible cigarettes. We also support the open dialogue and further policies discussion for the future of the product in this innovative category.”
Sim Chee Ping, Direktur PT JUL said “PT JUL welcomes JUUL Labs’ initiative to improve the lives of Indonesian adult smokers by providing an alternative to traditional cigarettes. We believe that through this partnership, Indonesians now have the choice to reduce the harmful effects of smoking to themselves and the people around them.”
On a separate occasion, Nirwala Dwi Heryanto, Technical Director and Excise Facilities of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance said, "Customs is open to the establishment of the new industries through the imposition of excise on the products of this category such as this JUUL, so that in the future Customs can consistently control, and supervise (the circulation)."
The JUUL device will be available in slate and silver and sold as a Starter Kit at SRP of Rp 450,000. JUULpods will be available in a two-pod Refill Kit for SRP of Rp 100,000. They will come in two nicotine strengths (3% and 5%) and are available in four flavors (Virginia Tobacco, Mango, Mint, and Vanilla) to meet the distinct needs of adult smokers and help them make the switch. Users can also buy an extra USB Charging Dock for SRP of Rp 80,000.
JUUL currently has two kiosks in Pacific Place (Jakarta) and Beachwalk Shopping Center (Bali) with two stores coming up in Cilandak Town Square and Plaza Indonesia. JUUL products are also available in select convenience stores, vape stores, and F&B outlets in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Bali.
Worldwide Information Survey and Analysis Company Nielsen Survey Results, based on the Status of Electronic Cigarette Sales in Grocery Stores, Marts, Drug Stores, and Convenience Stores across the US for 4 Weeks ending on November 3, 2018.