Dubai to double price of cigarettes

The price of cigarettes in Dubai will double from August in line with new directions from the emirate's municipality. Tobacco products in the emirate are currently priced at an average AED8 (US$2.2), but will increase to AED16 as of this su The government announced its plans to make smoking pricier last year in a bid to keep up with neighbour states whose cigarettes are more expensive. Authorities say the move is part of a wider campaign to reduce cardiovascular diseases in the country, and minimise the number of young people buying cigarettes. The increase will be form a tax applied by Dubai Municipality. The UAE currently imposes a 100 per cent customs tax on all imported tobacco products, but the overall price of smoking is still low compared to other countries. The negative impact of smoking has become a hot topic in the country in recent years, as individuals have gained more awareness of their personal health. Local businesses and government officials have made several steps towards reducing smoking in public places. In 2009, the Dubai government banned individuals from smoking shisha pipes in parks, beaches and all public recreational areas, and previously considered introducing indoor smoking sections in these areas. A federal anti-tobacco law issued in 2010 also gave cafes and restaurants located in residential neighbourhoods two years to move or ban smoking, while non-residential outlets were required to create designated smoking areas. A Sharjah-based hotel Coral Beach Resort in February also became one of the first destinations in the UAE to introduce a non-smoking zone on its beach after complaints from guests about the number of cigarette butts in the sand. By August, tobacco products in Dubai will also be carrying graphic images and warnings that will cover 50 per cent of the packet.