E-Cigarettes and the UAE Tax Increase 

The proposed tobacco tax increase in the UAE and other Gulf countries is intended to curb smoking. The proposed rate would raise cigarette prices about 30%, or AED 2 per pack. Cigarettes are already priced at AED 7, or about $1.90 USD. This is a step down from a week ago, where the tax increase would have doubled the price of cigarettes. The message that the UAE is sending is clear—they want people to quit smoking. Of course, quitting smoking is not as easy as simply stopping it. Otherwise, all the health warnings that are circulated would be effective in making people quit. E-Cigarettes could be the answer to this problem. 

Smokeless Cigarettes and Health Consciousness 

Much like the rest of the world, smokers across the Emirates are becoming more aware of the health risks of smoking. The problem is, as with the rest of the world, that nicotine is highly addictive, and so price is no object in satisfying that craving. A sufficiently effective alternative is what is needed to lower the smoking rate. With this tax increase, the price of analog cigarettes will become comparable to e-cig prices. When it becomes clear that improving their health can also mean saving money, vaping will spread like wildfire across the Emirates.