The UAE Ministry of Health has confirmed that e-cigarettes are banned in offices and enclosed spaces across the UAE. E-cigarette use is now governed by the country's federal tobacco control laws.

On this occasion, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has highlighted the dangers of consuming tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, Khaleej Times reported.

According to the UAE government website, federal law also prohibits and penalizes:

• Sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18

• Smoking in a private vehicle in the presence of children under the age of 12

• Smoking in places of worship, educational institutions (such as universities and schools), health and sports facilities

• Vending equipment and devices for domestic tobacco distribution

• tobacco advertising

MoHAP said it has worked with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) to block websites that promote and promote Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS).

The UAE initially planned to ban vaping products because doctors in the UAE had said that vaping would create a new generation of smokers. However, the country reversed course after advocacy groups pushed for harm reduction products.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health, citing a National Health Survey report, said the adult smoking rate had fallen from 11.1% in 2010 to 9.1% in 2018.

The latest edition of the Tobacco Atlas shows that the UAE has the lowest rate of cigarette consumption. A graph shared as part of the report shows that adult smokers in the country consume 438 cigarettes per year.