There are some of the most wide tobacco control laws in the UAE region. Whether you are a smoking, a vaper, or a head user, it is necessary to understand where the smoking is allowed, and it can spend you a heavy fine. This guide explains the current smoking laws of the UAE, what is allowed, what is restricted, and which is the most preserved under the federal law.
Where smoking is not allowed
Smoking, whether it is traditional cigarette, e-cigarette or head, is prohibited in most attached public places. Here is where smoking is strictly banned:
- Shopping malls, cinemas, restaurants, indoor cafes and hotels (until they have smoking room licenses)
- Office, government buildings and other indoor workplaces
- Public transport, including
Dubai Metro, buses, taxis and airport terminals - Educational institutions like schools and universities
-
Health care Facilities and sports space - Places of worship
- Public parks, beaches and entertaining areas (until the nominated smoking areas are not clearly marked)
Indoor smoking is allowed only in nominated smoking rooms:
- Fully attached
- Separate
- Equipped with proper ventilation
- Officially license and approved
Children protect laws
The UAE focused a strong focus on protecting children from tobacco risk:
- Federal law prohibits smoking in private or public vehicles when a child under 12 years of age is present. (Violers can face penalty starting from DH5,000.)
- Under the 2016 Federal Law No. 3, also known as Vedema’s law, smoking is prohibited in both public and private settings in the presence of children.
Sales ban
- Sales of tobacco products are strictly forbidden to someone under the age of 18.
- Vendors should verify the age of the buyer.
- There may be failure to comply:
- Conditions of at least three months jail
- DH15,000 fined fined
- In severe cases related to hair danger, the fine can reach DH1 million
Head and vepping rules
Head regulations
Sheesh Cafe in UAE is subject to strict location and operations rules for protecting public health and maintaining community standards. Under the current rules, these establishments should not be located within 150 meters of some sensitive sites – until a special license is given. These restricted areas include:
- Residential building
- school College
- Mosques
In addition to the location rules, the Dubai municipality has implemented a complete ban on smoking head in public recreational places, including:
- Public park
- Beaches
- Other recreational area
Dubai also prevents pregnant women from entering the Sheesh Cafe, whether they intend to smoke.Meanwhile, in Sharjah, the restrictions proceed even further. Since 2008, Emirates has implemented a blanket restriction on smoking in all public areas, including the use of glass throughout the board. In the UAE, wapping is regulated just like traditional cigarette smoking. It is strictly prohibited in all attached public places, including such places:
- Offices
- Indoor public sector
VAPING is allowed only in licensed smoking rooms that meet official requirements. It should be the room:
- Properly ventilated
- Fully enclosed and isolated from non-dreaded areas
All VAPING-Related Rules fall under the Federal Act No. 15 of 2009 on tobacco control, which controls all forms of tobacco consumption. It also includes:
- Electronic cigarette
- Prostitution
Nominated smoking areas are allowed, but only when they fully comply with licensing and safety standards.
Where smoking is allowed
Despite the strict anti -smoking laws of the UAE, there are still clearly designated and regulated areas where smoking is allowed. These spaces are carefully controlled to ensure minimal risk and compliance with public health standards for non-dhoomin.
Specified outer area
Smoking is usually allowed in public places in the open air, provided that there are no indications to clear it clearly. In most cases, cigarette smoking on public beaches may be allowed, unless a specific restriction is indicated. However, it is important to note that the municipal rules are not allowed to smoke on the beaches in Dubai.
Licensed smoking room
Indoor smoking is allowed only in licensed smoking rooms located in some public facilities, such as:
- Airports
- Shopping mall
- government buildings
It should be the room:
- Fully attached
- Properly ventilated
- Apparently they have been marked to separate them from non-dreaded areas
Licensed head cafe
Sheesh Cafe can work either indoors or outside, but only under strict regulatory conditions. This includes:
- Municipal approval to operate
- Follow location restrictions (such as minimum distance from schools and mosques)
- Adequate ventilation systems
- Admission ban on pregnant women entering Sheesh Cafe in Dubai, even if they are planning to smoke
Tobacco -free workplace policies
The foundation of the strict smoking rules of the UAE is laid in two major federal laws to protect public health, especially of minors and non-smokers.
Federal Law Number 15 of 2009 – Tobacco Control Act
This law determines clear national standards where and how tobacco products can be sold or consumed. This restrictives:
- Smoking in all attached public places
- Selling tobacco to persons under the age of 18 years
- Smoking in vehicles when a child under the age of 12 is present
- Smoking in schools, healthcare facilities, sports places and places of worship
This is also a ban
- Tobacco-themes
- Use of vending machines to sell tobacco products
- All forms, format or platform of tobacco advertising
Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 – Vedema’s law
Also known as Vedema’s law, this law focuses on the protection of children’s rights and welfare. Major provisions include:
- A strict prohibition on smoking in the presence of minors
- Ban on sale of tobacco products to children
- Severe punishment for violations that endanger child safety, including potential prison conditions and fine, which reaches DH1 million in severe cases