Vapeboss – The UAE government's consumer watchdog, the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), legalized the sale of e-cigarettes and vaping devices through new regulations known as UAE.S 5030 in August 2019.

ESMA Director General, Abdulla Al Maeeni, stated that concerns about the spread of unregulated e-cigarettes were one of the reasons behind the decision. He added that many users had a "lack of knowledge about the ingredients used," and by regulating sales, ESMA could ensure quality and safety standards.

Meanwhile, a recent study conducted by researchers from Maudsley Health and Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital found that nearly a quarter of students in the UAE, 23%, had used e-cigarettes in the past month. These findings were published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

The data collected also showed that male students were twice as likely to try e-cigarettes as females and considered them less harmful than females when using them.

"This is consistent with previous research on tobacco smoking among university students in the UAE, where males are more likely to consume tobacco," the researchers explained. "In the GCC, this pattern is also seen in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. This could be because smoking is more socially acceptable for males in this region and that they may also be influenced by peers."

In other news, the Dubai Municipality had previously announced that the use of such devices would be subject to the same laws as those who light traditional cigarettes. "The municipality will monitor any violations related to vaping in public places," said Nasseem Mohammad Rafie, acting director of the Health and Safety department at Dubai Municipality. "Specialists in the municipality will take the necessary action to track offenders who smoke e-cigarettes in public places."

Vapers caught using their devices in non-smoking areas will face fines of up to Dh1,000 (around 4.2 million rupiah), while those who violate specific designated smoking area provisions may be required to pay as much as Dh2,000.

Source: Vapingpost