The Impact of Global Vaping Trends in the UAE

The Impact of Global Vaping Trends in the UAE

Vaping has gone from niche to mainstream worldwide, and the UAE now sits at the centre of that shift in the Middle East. Global brands, new devices and tough new rules are all showing up in Dubai and across the Emirates.

In this guide, you’ll see how global vaping trends affect the UAE vape market, regulations, youth use and public health, plus what adults, retailers and content creators need to know to stay compliant and responsible.

Global Vaping Trends: From Niche to Mainstream

Over the past decade, vaping has grown into a global industry. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 100 million people now vape worldwide, including at least 15 million teenagers aged 13–15. In countries with data, teens are on average nine times more likely to vape than adults, which has triggered strong concern among health agencies.

At the same time, traditional cigarette use is slowly falling, so many tobacco companies and new entrants have pivoted toward e-cigarettes, disposables and other nicotine products to offset declining cigarette sales.

Key Global Trends Driving Vaping

Some clear patterns have emerged worldwide:

• Rapid growth of disposable vapes
  Compact, pre-filled disposable devices dominate many markets because they’re convenient and require no refilling or coil changes. Global disposable vape sales were estimated in the tens of billions of dollars in 2024 and continue to grow, driven heavily by youth and young adult users.
  
• Flavour-led competition
  Fruit, dessert and beverage flavours are central to product differentiation. In the Middle East & Africa vape market, flavours are segmented into tobacco, herbal, menthol/mint, fruit, sweet and beverage, reflecting strong demand for non-tobacco tastes.
  
• Closed systems and pod mods
  Globally, there’s a strong shift from large, open systems to pod devices and closed systems that are easier for beginners and tourists to use.
  
• Aggressive digital marketing
  Social media, influencers and online shops have played a major role in making vaping visible and accessible to young people, especially in high-income markets.
  

How Governments Are Responding

Governments around the world are trying to balance harm reduction for adult smokers with youth protection:

• Some countries (e.g. parts of Europe and the UK) are moving to ban or phase out disposable vapes, citing youth appeal and e-waste.
  
• Others, including GCC countries, allow vaping but tighten product standards, nicotine caps, flavour rules and advertising bans.
  

These global trends directly influence how the UAE designs its own vaping rules and market strategy.

How Global Vaping Trends Are Playing Out in the UAE

The UAE has quickly become a regional hub for the global vape industry. Nowhere is that more obvious than in Dubai.

The World Vape Show Dubai, launched in 2021, is now one of the largest B2B vape events in the world. The 2024 edition drew over 18,500 attendees from more than 90 countries, with hundreds of manufacturers, retailers and distributors exhibiting thousands of products. 

At the 2024 show, brands from China, Europe, the UK and the US showcased disposable vapes, pod systems, new flavours and “reduced-leak” designs, reflecting the same innovation cycle seen in North America and Europe.

For the UAE, this global wave means:

• Faster product launches – New global devices and flavours tend to arrive early in Dubai because of its trade role.
  
• A more sophisticated consumer base – Expat residents and tourists bring habits and expectations from Europe, the UK and Asia.
  
• Stronger regulatory pressure – As devices become more powerful and youth usage rises, regulators have been forced to keep up.

UAE Vaping Laws and Standards in 2025

The UAE completely changed its stance on vaping in 2019. Before that, e-cigarettes were effectively banned; now they are legal but tightly regulated.

The core of the framework is the national standard UAE.S 5030:2018 – Electronic Nicotine Products, which treats vapes as equivalent to traditional tobacco products and sets strict rules on contents, labelling and devices.

Legal Status and Age Limits

• Vaping is legal for adults if products meet UAE.S 5030:2018 and carry the proper conformity marks and health warnings.
  
• Sale to anyone under 18 is illegal. Products must carry an 18+ symbol and the statement that sale and use by under-18s is prohibited and not recommended for non-smokers.
  
• Retailers who sell to minors face hefty fines, possible licence suspension and even criminal charges in serious cases.
  

Product Standards and Nicotine Limits

Under UAE.S 5030:2018, vape products must meet detailed safety and composition standards:

• Maximum nicotine strength:
  Nicotine in e-liquids must be ≤ 20 mg/ml.
  
• Device and refill limits:
  
  • Tank capacity must not exceed 10 ml.
    
  • Refill containers must not exceed 50 ml per package.
    
• Banned ingredients and additives include:
  
  • Cinnamic compounds → effectively bans cinnamon flavours.
    
  • Vitamins or additives implying health benefits.
    
  • Caffeine, taurine and other stimulants.
    
  • Numerous toxic or carcinogenic chemicals (e.g. certain aldehydes, heavy metals, and specific solvents).
    
• Health warnings must:
  
  • Cover at least 50% of the front and back of the package.
    
  • Warn about nicotine addiction, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and risks for pregnant women and people with lung disease.
    
• Packaging must not mislead – No wording like “light”, “organic”, “mild”, “low tar”, or any claims of reduced risk, beauty benefits, weight loss, or social status.
  

These rules echo global concerns raised by medical reviews, which link vaping to respiratory irritation, asthma exacerbations, and potential cardiovascular effects, especially in youth.

Where You Can and Cannot Vape in the UAE

While e-cigarettes aren’t always explicitly named in every law, authorities largely treat vaping like smoking:

• No vaping in most indoor public places, including malls, restaurants and offices.
  
• In Dubai, vaping in a no-smoking area can lead to fines of around AED 2,000.
  
• Smoking or vaping near children under 12 (e.g. inside cars) is prohibited to protect minors from exposure.
  
• Vaping is restricted in places of worship, schools, healthcare facilities and sports venues, similar to smoking rules.
  

In practice, if you wouldn’t smoke there, don’t vape there either—use only designated smoking areas.

Advertising and Online Sales

Advertising is another area where the UAE has gone further than many countries:

• Federal Law No. 15 of 2009 bans direct and indirect advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, and authorities apply this to vapes as well.
  
• UAE.S 5030:2018 bans promotions on packaging such as vouchers, discounts and “two-for-one” offers.
  
• Recent guidance stresses that ads must not target minors or glamorise vaping as a lifestyle, and must include clear health warnings.
  
• Online sales are not explicitly banned at federal level, but products sold online must still be fully compliant, and retailers are expected to verify age.
  

Quick Snapshot: UAE Vaping Rules vs Global Trends

Aspect	UAE Position (2025)	Reflects Global Trend
Legal status	Legal since 2019 under UAE.S 5030:2018	Shift from bans to regulated markets
Age limit	18+ only; strict penalties for underage sales	Youth protection at the centre of policy
Nicotine limit	≤ 20 mg/ml in e-liquids	Similar to EU-style caps
Flavours & additives	Cinnamon and many additives banned; no “health” additives	Tighter control on flavours linked to youth appeal and health risks
Health warnings & labelling	50% front/back warnings; 18+ icon; no “light/organic” claims	Plain-style packaging and anti-misleading claims
Advertising	Broad ban on tobacco ads + packaging promo ban	Strong limits on marketing, especially to minors
Places you can vape	Designated smoking areas only; fines for indoor use	Convergence with smoke-free policies

Market Growth: How Big Is the UAE Vape Industry?

Global vaping trends haven’t just changed behaviour; they’ve created a large commercial market.

Across the Middle East & Africa (MEA), the vape market was estimated at USD 563.04 million in 2024, with a projected CAGR of 30.7% from 2024 to 2031. The GCC countries alone represent about USD 240.98 million of that market in 2024.

Within this regional picture, the UAE stands out:

• The UAE disposable vapes market reached USD 305.85 million in 2024.
  
• It is expected to grow to around USD 792 million by 2033, with a CAGR of about 11.1% from 2025–2033.
  
• The UAE already accounts for about 4.85% of the global disposable vapes market, and is projected to become the leading disposable vape market in the Middle East & Africa.
  

Market segmentation in the UAE shows that:

• Disposable vapes dominate by revenue and are forecast to remain the fastest-growing product type.
  
• Fruit, mint and tobacco flavours are the main flavour groups.
  
• Convenience stores, vape shops and online retailers are the key sales channels.
  

Global suppliers view Dubai as their entry point to the GCC and wider MEA region, which explains the strong presence of international brands at events like the World Vape Show. 

Social and Public Health Impact in the UAE

Youth Vaping and University Students

Rising youth vaping is one of the clearest impacts of global trends.

A 2021 study across UAE universities found that:

• 15.1% of students were current smokers (all tobacco types).
  
• Among current smokers, about 44% were using e-cigarettes or other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).
  
• Reasons for using e-cigs included:
  
  • To help quit smoking (about one-third of users).
    
  • Enjoyment of flavours (around 36%).
    
  • Belief that e-cigs are less harmful than conventional tobacco.
    

More recent regional data show how fast this is changing. A 2025 study covering 1,338 university students in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE found that the e-cigarette usage rate among UAE university students was 39.6%, the highest of all surveyed countries. 

Researchers and local media attributed this high rate to:

• Easy availability of vape products.
  
• Wide choice of flavours.
  
• Strong online marketing.
  
• Higher disposable income among UAE residents.
  

Why Health Experts Are Worried

Global evidence is increasingly clear that, while vapes may be less toxic than cigarettes, they are not harmless—especially for teenagers and young adults:

• A major review on global youth vaping and respiratory health found links between e-cigarette use and:
  
  • Asthma exacerbations.
    
  • Bronchitis and other respiratory symptoms.
    
  • Cases of serious lung injury (EVALI), particularly when THC and vitamin E acetate were used.
    
• Vaping was associated with headaches, chest pain, sleep issues and persistent coughing among frequent teen users.
  
• Nicotine exposure in adolescence is linked to changes in brain development, affecting cognition, impulse control and later risk of mental health problems.
  

WHO has warned that e-cigarettes are driving a “new wave of nicotine addiction”, particularly among young people, even as traditional smoking declines. 

Gateway and Dual Use Concerns

One of the strongest findings from global research is the gateway effect:

• Teen and young adult e-cig users are about 3.5 times more likely to start smoking cigarettes later compared with those who never vaped.
  
• A meta-analysis found that around 30% of e-cigarette users later smoked, versus about 7–8% of non-users.
  

In other words, for many teens, vaping doesn’t replace smoking. It can add another layer of nicotine exposure and increase the chance of later cigarette use.

How the UAE Is Responding

The UAE has started to combine strict regulation with digital enforcement:

• Authorities regularly inspect vape shops and kiosks, with heavy fines and licence suspensions for underage sales or non-compliant products.
  
• New 2025 regulatory updates aim to tighten oversight of distribution and sales, reflecting growing concern about health impacts.
  
• Schools and education authorities are testing AI-powered vape detectors, online monitoring and cybersecurity tools to crack down on vaping among minors and to block illegal online sales.
  

Overall, the UAE is trying to allow regulated adult vaping while cutting off youth access, in line with global health priorities.

Practical Tips for Adults and Businesses in the UAE

For Adult Vapers and Travellers

If you’re an adult who chooses to vape in the UAE, keep it legal and low-risk:

• Buy only compliant products
  Look for devices and liquids clearly labelled as meeting UAE.S 5030:2018, with health warnings in Arabic and English and an 18+ symbol.
  
• Stay in designated smoking areas
  Don’t vape in malls, offices, restaurants or public transport. Use only marked smoking areas to avoid fines.
  
• Keep devices in carry-on luggage when flying
  Most airlines and airports require vapes and batteries to be in your hand luggage, not checked baggage.
  
• Avoid illegal or unregulated products
  Steer clear of vapes sold via informal social media channels or containing THC or unknown ingredients—these are both illegal and higher risk.
  
• Be mindful with nicotine strength
  Even within the 20 mg/ml cap, choose the lowest strength that works for you and avoid frequent, continuous use.
  
• If you smoke, talk to a healthcare professional
  Evidence on e-cigs as a quitting tool is still evolving. If your goal is to quit nicotine entirely, seek medical advice and consider proven cessation options alongside any vaping strategy.
  

For Vape Retailers and Brands in the UAE

Global trends make the UAE an attractive market, but compliance is non-negotiable:

• Implement strict age verification
  Train staff, check IDs and adopt a zero-tolerance policy for underage sales.
  
• Audit products against UAE.S 5030:2018
  Work only with suppliers who can provide conformity certificates and ingredient lists that meet UAE rules, including the ban on cinnamic compounds and restricted additives.
  
• Avoid any health or “reduced risk” claims
  Do not describe products as “safe”, “healthy”, “light”, “organic” or “low-risk”. This is explicitly prohibited.
  
• Respect advertising bans
  Focus on information and compliance messaging, not lifestyle imagery or influencer campaigns that could be seen as targeting youth.
  
• Stay updated on 2025 regulatory changes
  New rules may affect flavours, devices, distribution channels and cross-border sales, so monitoring legal updates is essential.
  

FAQs

Is vaping legal in the UAE?

Yes. Vaping is legal for adults as long as products comply with UAE.S 5030:2018 and local tobacco control laws. Sale to anyone under 18 is prohibited.

Are disposable vapes banned in the UAE?

No. Disposable vapes are allowed and currently dominate the UAE market, but they must meet all local standards and labelling requirements.

Can tourists bring vapes into Dubai?

Generally yes, for personal use, but devices and batteries should be in your carry-on luggage, and you must obey local rules on where you can vape. Always double-check current airline and UAE guidance before travelling.

Are nicotine-free vapes regulated?

Yes. The UAE standard covers electronic vape products “which may or may not contain nicotine”, so nicotine-free devices and liquids are still regulated. 

How is the UAE responding to youth vaping?

Authorities are:

• Enforcing age checks with inspections and heavy fines.
  
• Tightening rules on distribution and sales in 2025.
  
• Deploying AI-based vape detectors and digital monitoring to reduce underage vaping in schools and online.
  

Are vapes safer than cigarettes?

Most evidence suggests that e-cigarettes expose users to fewer toxic chemicals than conventional cigarettes, but they:

• Still contain addictive nicotine.
  
• Can affect respiratory and cardiovascular health.
  
• Pose particular risks to teenagers and pregnant women.
  
• Have unknown long-term effects.
  

For smokers who cannot quit, switching entirely to regulated vapes may reduce harm compared with continued smoking—but it’s not risk-free, and the safest option is always to stop using nicotine altogether.

Conclusion

Global vaping trends have turned the UAE into a high-growth, tightly regulated vape market. On one side, Dubai hosts one of the world’s biggest vape exhibitions and attracts hundreds of international brands. On the other, regulators enforce some of the strictest product, packaging and advertising rules in the region, alongside new digital tools to curb youth use.