Federal Law on Combating Tobacco

Smoking is injurious to health – written on every pack of cigarettes. Yet, there are tobacco buyers in every country. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has created laws on the consumption of legal and illegal drugs. These rules and regulations are implemented to protect public health and control the consumption of tobacco in the region. Hence, the Federal Law No. 15 of 2009 monitors the production, usage, import, advertising, and sale of tobacco items. Usually, the young generation is an active buyer of tobacco and uses it in different forms.

If you are in the business of selling or importing tobacco, then you must consult the business consultants and professional lawyers to ensure the legal compliance of your business. Federal Law No. 15 of 2009 Regarding Tobacco Control, explains the smoking restrictions on public places, advertisements and promotions of tobacco, its ban on sale to under 18 years old. There are several others details, as part of this federal law as well, stating the rules and laws. Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2018 is all about the the excise tax application and compliance rules.

The law on combating tobacco has been established to keep public health safe and maintain a clean environment, physically. The laws are implemented for all types of products that has tobacco in them. For example, cigarettes, sheesha, and pipe tobacco. Moreover, the areas of smoking have been designated so that other people do not get uncomfortable around smokers. These items cannot be sold without a licensed vendor. In fact, the items cannot be publicly advertised or promoted. The buyers of tobacco are the youth of the UAE, and so, control on those items is important. Violation of federal laws for tobacco can lead to financial penalties and imprisonment in the UAE. If readers need some idea about the federal laws then we must suggest consulting expert business consultants and legal consultants.

The license for the distribution of tobacco is necessary to start your business in the UAE. Without a valid permit, an individual cannot sell or import a tobacco item. It involves several steps before the permission can be officially granted. There are frequent background checks and inspections to ensure that the business will be operated as proposed. Additionally, the documents play a vital role in permission and agreement for selling or importing the tobacco item. The information regards to permit and permissions are available online.

The tobacco products have proper guidelines for packaging. There should be health warnings written in Arabic and English if the product is sold in the UAE. Half of the packaging material should be covered with such warnings. The violations against the packaging standards can lead to import bans.

The tobacco items cannot be advertised or sponsored directly or indirectly. There cannot be an event that is sponsored by a tobacco company in the UAE. The point-of-sale is also regulated, where retailers cannot put these items on public display, as it may attract buyers. Any kind of advertising of such products may lead to severe penalties, and the business license can be revoked.

Smoking is banned in some UAE institutions. These include educational institutions, government sector, healthcare and hospitals, public transportation, and entertainment spots like shopping malls and cinemas. If anyone is found smoking in prohibited areas, they will have to pay AED 2,000 as a financial penalty. The authorities in the prohibited failing to enforce the non-smoking rules will face severe consequences. They can be either permanently closed or their licenses suspended. There should be proper signage where smoking is prohibited so everyone can see it clearly.

The tobacco items cannot be sold to someone under 18 years of age. As per the Federal law on Combating Tobacco, the retailers must ensure the age of the individual by checking their ID cards before selling them a cigarette. The minors are totally forbidden to have a tobacco item with them. Additionally, there are no vending machines for tobacco to prevent minors from accessing these harmful products in the UAE.

The sale of tobacco is discouraged in the UAE. Therefore, sales tax has also increased on tobacco products. According to the UAE, the increase in tax on tobacco items will reduce its consumption. If any company is selling tobacco items with wrong labelling, it will be reported to the officials, and the license for sale might get revoked.

Smoking is an addiction for many individuals. It may have harmful effects on health, such as mouth or lung cancer. The Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE is responsible to enforce the laws of tobacco consumption and sale. The health department and municipal authorities collaborate with the Ministry for guidelines regarding the tobacco rules and regulations.

Recently, the authorities observe an increasing trend of e-cigarettes. It is also known as a vape. These products in the UAE can be imported in the country as per the same federal laws for tobacco like other items do. Additionally, the retailers have to have a separate license for selling e-cigarettes. The products have to go through quality inspections before they could be sold to the public in the UAE.

Our professional support is for importers and distributors. We provide legal advice and legal support in litigation. For the purpose of grabbing the details, and to acquire any kind of legal support, readers can contact our professional lawyers. We are a Dubai based law firm, one of the best law firm in Dubai, and UAE.