Cigarette prices set to soar

PRICE HIKE: Smokers could see the price of cigarettes soar as the government looks to cut the number of people lighting up. (Getty Images)

Smokers in the UAE could see the cost of cigarettes soar under a government initiative to reduce the number of people lighting up, an official has warned.

Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the Ministry of Health Tobacco Control Team, said the price hike has been included in a new smoking law that is expected to come into force across the Emirates at the end of May, UAE daily the National reported on Sunday.

It is not known how much prices will increase under the law, the newspaper said.

Smokers in the UAE enjoy relatively cheap cigarette prices in comparison to other countries. The average price for a pack of 20 cigarettes is 6 dirhams ($1.60), while in the UK the price is 5.66 British pounds ($11.20).

One of the main objectives of the price rise is to reduce the number of child smokers, who are being targeted by tobacco companies, Al Maidoor said.

The new law, the National Tobacco Control Law, also includes a nationwide ban on smoking in public places.

Individual emirates have introduced measures to restrict smoking in public places. Dubai led the way in September last year when it introduced a smoking ban in places such as shopping malls and restaurants.

RELATED: 'No smoking' areas set up in Dubai malls

The same ban came into effect in Al Ain on April 15, while Abu Dhabi is now planning a phased approach to its smoking regulations.

Fujairah has also banned smoking in all closed public areas and Sharjah intends to make public areas smoke-free from June.

Meanwhile, a Saudi cancer patient is seeking damages of $10 million from a multinational tobacco company, in the first case of its kind in the region, his lawyer announced on Tuesday.

RELATED: Cancer patient seeks $10mn damages

Ali Aseeri, the former owner of a leading contracting firm, claims the firm is responsible for smoking-related throat cancer which led to his financial ruin and decimated health.

Aseeri said he would use the compensation to establish a hospital for the treatment of tobacco-related illnesses.

According to statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), half of adult males in the Middle East are smokers.

Kuwait ranks 19th globally in tobacco consumption with a consumption rate of 2,280 cigarettes per person per year, while Saudi Arabia is 23rd, at 2,130 per person.

In total, GCC countries spend about $800 million per year on tobacco.

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READERS' COMMENTS

I second the Shisha Tax!
Posted by Rainigaide, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 6 May 2008 at 12:52 UAE time

Bob, you are absolutely right on that one!

Just last year there was an article which reported that one shisha smoking session was equivalent to smoking a 100 cigarettes.

There you go - the logic is simple. If young Emiratis health is of paramount concern, the UAE govt. should without a doubt tax shisha costs too!

Shisha Tax!
Posted by Bob, London, UK on Tuesday 6 May 2008 at 00:15 UAE time

If government is looking for youngsters' health, why they are not targeting shisha, which is mostly smoked by Emirati young people?

Pay J. pay ;)
Posted by Tahloube, Abu Dhabi, Palestinian residing in UAE on Monday 5 May 2008 at 19:31 UAE time

But your puffing habit can cause health problems to Emiratis, hence you should pay the tax ;)

Where does the tax generated money go?
Posted by J., Dubai on Monday 5 May 2008 at 09:43 UAE time


In other countries, tax on cigarettes goes to healthcare because smokers are a burden to the non-smoking tax payer.
As an expat (we are only 80% of the population), why should we pay for something we don't benefit from anyways? Let us light up please. If I die, it won't cost you a dime, so why do you care? Here's a thought: Emaratis get a discount on their DEWA bills so give us a discount on cigarettes.
It's just another form of making money if you ask me!

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