Dubai Cracks Down on Indoor Vaping

Vaping in the Mall? Dubai Tightens Inspections After Complaints

In the United Arab Emirates – including Dubai – public smoking is strictly regulated, and this includes electronic cigarettes, also known as vapes. Although it has been legal to purchase electronic cigarettes in the country since April 2019, indoor use is prohibited, similar to traditional tobacco products. Recently, there has been a surge in public complaints, particularly regarding vaping in shopping malls, leading Dubai authorities to tighten inspections.

Increasing Indoor Vaping – Authorities Speak Out

Several residents have expressed concerns that vaping is becoming more widespread in enclosed community spaces – particularly malls and waiting areas – and many are unaware that it is just as prohibited as smoking cigarettes. The Dubai Municipality responded to the reports and announced that it has implemented several measures in collaboration with shopping mall operators:

Clear prohibition signs are placed at all entrances and corridors, indicating that all forms of smoking – including electronic cigarettes – are banned.

Security personnel are required to warn violators, and increased inspections are also in place.

General instructions have been issued to shops, restaurants, and kiosks to inform guests of the ban and display the warnings prominently.

Smoking is only allowed at designated areas at a distance of at least seven meters from the entrances and exits of buildings.

The Dubai Municipality also conducts regular checks to ensure shopping malls and other communal spaces comply with the regulations. The goal of these measures is to protect public health and promote the creation of a smoke-free environment.

What Applies to Vaping in the UAE?

The sale of e-cigarettes and refills is legal in the UAE but strictly regulated. The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma) sets the quality and health requirements for marketable devices and materials.

However, their use is limited:

Vaping is not allowed at airports, even if the device is in the owner's possession. Use is possible in designated smoking areas.

Shisha cafes can only operate with special permits and must not be within 150 meters of residential areas, schools, or mosques.

Shisha consumption is prohibited in parks, beaches, and public recreational places.

Pregnant women are not allowed into shisha cafes, even if they do not intend to consume.

Health Risks and Misconceptions

Many believe that vaping is less harmful than traditional smoking – this is misleading. Doctors have repeatedly pointed out that some vape devices have much higher nicotine content than a pack of cigarettes, and can severely damage the lungs, especially during adolescence. Nicotine can reduce the body's oxygen supply, leading to serious long-term health damage.

According to WHO statistics, smoking causes more than 8 million deaths annually, with 1.3 million being passive smokers.

Special Rules for Child Protection

In the UAE, smoking in the presence of children is strictly prohibited. Article 21 of the Wadeema law states that smoking in the presence of children under 12 years in vehicles or enclosed places is forbidden. Violators can be fined at least 5,000 dirhams.

The law also prohibits the sale of tobacco products to children, requiring buyers to prove they are over 18 years old. Violating merchants face at least three months in prison and/or a minimum fine of 15,000 dirhams – the same applies to the sale of alcohol or other health-damaging substances.

Summary:

In response to the indoor vaping practices observed in Dubai, authorities have taken steps to protect the public from the harmful effects of passive smoking and ensure the proper, smoke-free use of public spaces. The laws are clear: whether it involves cigarettes, shisha, or electronic devices, their use is only permitted in designated places. The aim is clear: a path towards a healthier, more conscious society.

(Source: Dubai Municipality statement.)