The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) has issued a mandatory Electronic Nicotine Products (Equivalent to Traditional Tobacco Products) Standard (UAE.S 5030 : 2018), which sets the technical regulations for heated tobacco products. It came into force on 14th April 2019. The standard regulates e-cigarettes and both heated tobacco devices and consumables, and it lays down the specific requirements for production, import, retail and display.
The regulation of heated tobacco in the UAE will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future. However, if this changes, it will be a consequence of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Standardisation Organisation (GSO) standard, which aims to introduce common requirements and restrictions for all GCC countries. TobaccoIntelligence does not expect the GCC GSO draft standard to be approved in 2021.
This report provides a detailed overview of the current regulations in place for these products in the UAE.
