In August 2019, the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA), the UAE Government consumer watchdog, announced the implementation of new regulations, known as UAE.S 5030, which permit the legal sale of e-cigarettes and vaping devices. The regulator emphasized that manufacturers would need to meet new standards, including incorporating health warnings similar to those found on traditional cigarette packets.
ESMA’s Director General, Abdulla Al Maeeni, cited concerns about the unregulated spread of e-cigarettes as one of the reasons behind this decision. He highlighted that many users have a limited understanding of the ingredients used in these products, and by regulating sales, ESMA aims to ensure quality and safety standards.
Meanwhile, a recent study conducted by researchers from Maudsley Health and Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai, along with Liverpool John Moores University in the UK, found that nearly 23% of students in the UAE had used an e-cigarette in the past month. The study’s findings were published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
The compiled data also revealed that male students were twice as likely as females to try e-cigarettes and perceived them as less harmful compared to their female counterparts.
The researchers explained, “This is consistent with previous research on tobacco smoking among university students in the UAE, where males are more likely to consume tobacco. In the GCC region, a similar pattern has been observed in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. This may be attributed to smoking being more socially acceptable for males in this region and the influence of peers.”
Vapes are subject to the same laws as cigarettes
In recent updates, the Dubai Municipality has announced that the use of e-cigarettes will be regulated under the same laws as traditional cigarettes. Nasseem Mohammad Rafie, the acting director of the Health and Safety department at Dubai Municipality, stated that the municipality will monitor any violations related to vaping in public places. Specialists from the municipality will take necessary measures to identify individuals who smoke e-cigarettes in public areas.
Vapers found using their devices in non-smoking areas will be subject to fines of up to Dh1,000 (240 Euros), while those who violate the specific terms of designated smoking areas could face fines of up to Dh2,000.
