In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), e-cigarettes are allowed and regulated. The sale of vaping devices and nicotine is legal, and purchasing without a prescription is permitted. Vaping products are marketed and can be bought both online and in-person, according to some online sources.
The minimum age restriction on sales is 18 years, and there are some restrictions on use in public places. So, it is advised not to vape in areas such as educational centers and health facilities. Travelers should also check with airlines before bringing vaping products for personal use.
In terms of prevalence, the latest available data from 2017 indicate that there were approximately 48,200 vapers in the UAE. The vaping prevalence among adults was 0.6%, with a prevalence of 0.4% among females and 0.8% among males.
Prevalence
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | 5% | |
| 2017 | 0.6% | 2A |
- National Health Survey (STEPS), 2017-18; National, ages 18-69. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
- 1. National Health Survey (STEPS), 2017-18; National, ages 18-69. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- National Health Survey (STEPS), 2017-18; National, ages 18-69. Cited in WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Country profile.
Regulation
- Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
Availability