Smoking in United Arab Emirates
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), smoking is allowed but all tobacco products are subject to strict regulations. Based on these regulations, there is a complete ban on all forms of tobacco advertising including cigarettes. While the importation of cigarettes for trade with appropriate license is allowed, they are not permitted to be purchased online or through vending machines. Additionally, health warnings on packaging are required, and legal restrictions on smoking in public places are enforced. While there is no excise tax on cigarettes in the UAE, the total taxation rate of 71.72% is applied. The current smoking prevalence among adults aged 15 years and older was reported to be 11.1% in 2024 in the UAE. The prevalence rates based on gender in the same year indicate a significant difference. Males had a higher smoking prevalence, with 15.5%, compared to a 2.6% smoking prevalence among females. These data reflect an increase from earlier figures in 2019, where the overall smoking prevalence was 14.7%, with a prevalence of 29% among males and 0.5% among females. The obsolute nubmer of smokers show that there were approximately one million tobacco smokers in the UAE in 2024, which shows a decline from 1,2 million smokers in 2019. The adult daily tobacco smoking prevalence in the country in 2018 was estimated to be 8%, with 13.9% among males and 2% among females. The impact of smoking on public health in the UAE is reflected by smoking mortality in 2021. That year, there were 1,693 smoking-related deaths which comprised 8.45% of all deaths in the country. The gender distribution of these deaths showed notable difference, with 1,479 male deaths (10.23% of all male deaths) and 214 female deaths (3.86% of all female deaths). These data provide a detailed overview of the tobacco smoking prevalence and their mortalities in the UAE, highlighting the ongoing public health challenges associated with tobacco smoking in the country.
Read articles from United Arab Emirates
January 14, 2019 by thenationalnews.com
Take it from a nicotine addict, shisha is no joke
A new UAE study has confirmed what every shisha lover has long suspected: there are higher levels of cancer-causing metals in shisha products than in cigarettes. The research was co-authored by Professor Mohamed Al Hajjaj of the University of Sharjah, Abdus Khan of Khalifa University, [...] The study looked at 13 medwakh tobacco products and three shisha products, analysing their properties to determine metal concentrations. Their findings may not have been surprising, but they were terrifying all the same. [...]
November 19, 2018 by thenationalnews.com
Hooked on hookah: UAE experts report surge in shisha addicts
A rising number of UAE residents are seeking help after becoming hooked on shisha, an addiction expert has said.
Johanna Griffin, a Dubai-based specialist, said there has been a noticeable spike in patients attempting to kick the habit. They had often started smoking shisha, she revealed, unaware that evidence suggests they can be more dangerous than cigarettes.
Kamal Naji, 27, quit cigarettes before turning to shisha, which has now become a “part of his life”. He enjoys one immediately after finishing work, and another in the evening.
October 16, 2018 by khaleejtimes.com
Know the law: Are e-cigarettes banned in UAE?
Residents in the UAE are confused over the rules surrounding the personal use of e-cigarettes, both in public places and at home, and are calling for clearer rules on the issue. However, the Dubai Municipality has made it clear that e-cigarettes are treated like any other cigarettes in Dubai.
Despite a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes in the UAE, many residents are still unclear as to whether they can legally smoke the device in designated public areas.
September 03, 2018 by thenationalnews.com
UAE considering lifting ban on e-cigarettes
The UAE could be set to lift its ban on e-cigarettes and other similar products, it has been revealed. Authorities have begun a preliminary project to assess whether electronic nicotine devices should be allowed to be used legally in the country. Currently, e-cigarettes are banned in the Emirates due to concerns over their impact on user health.
April 16, 2018 by khaleejtimes.com
Beware, e-cigarettes are being used to smoke drugs in UAE
The Dubai Police have recorded 17 instances of youngsters mixing drugs in electronic cigarettes and smoking them, a top officer revealed on Sunday. As part of a study, the department of evidence examined 103 e-cigarettes seized in the country and found that 17 were used to smoke drugs.
According to Khalid Al Sumaiti, a senior forensic expert, in two cases, a cocktail of five different drugs was smoked. Fourteen of the e-cigarettes were used to inhale cannabis oil.
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