Is Vaping Banned in Dubai? What You Need to Know Before You Arrive

If you’re planning a trip to Dubai and you vape, here’s the first thing you need to know: vaping is not just restricted-it’s illegal in public places and in most forms you might expect. Unlike in Australia or the U.S., where vaping is regulated but allowed, Dubai treats e-cigarettes and vape pens the same as tobacco products under strict federal law. Bring one into the country, use it in your hotel room, or even carry spare pods in your bag, and you could face serious consequences.

What Does the Law Actually Say?

The UAE Federal Law No. 15 of 2019 on Tobacco Control explicitly bans the import, sale, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices in public spaces. This includes hotels, malls, airports, beaches, and even private vehicles if children are present. The law doesn’t make exceptions for nicotine-free vape juice or CBD oils. If it’s an electronic smoking device, it’s covered.

Customs officials at Dubai International Airport scan luggage for vaping gear. If they find it, they will confiscate it immediately. You won’t get a warning. You won’t be asked to dispose of it at the airport. It’s seized, and you may be questioned. In some cases, travelers have been fined up to AED 2,000 (about $545 USD) or even detained for a few hours while paperwork is processed.

Can You Buy Vapes in Dubai?

No. There are no legal vape shops in Dubai. Even if you see a store selling e-cigarettes, it’s operating illegally. Authorities regularly shut down underground vendors, and police conduct raids on shops that sell vaping products. If you’re tempted to buy one locally, don’t. You’re not just breaking the law-you’re risking your safety. Many of these black-market devices contain unregulated chemicals, heavy metals, or even synthetic cannabinoids that have led to hospitalizations.

Some tourists think they can bring in a few pods for personal use. That’s a dangerous assumption. The law doesn’t allow personal exemptions. Even if you claim it’s for medical reasons or you’re a heavy smoker trying to quit, the rules don’t change. There is no legal pathway to import or use vaping products in the UAE, regardless of intent.

What Happens If You Get Caught?

Getting caught vaping in Dubai isn’t like getting a parking ticket. The penalties are real and can follow you home.

• First offense: Confiscation of device, fine of AED 500-2,000
• Second offense: Higher fine, possible deportation if you’re a foreign resident
• Public use: Can be considered “disrupting public order,” which carries jail time in extreme cases
• Importing devices: Classified as smuggling controlled substances, which can trigger criminal charges

There are documented cases of tourists being held overnight at Dubai International Airport after vaping was detected in their carry-on. One British traveler in 2023 was detained for 18 hours after customs found a disposable vape in his jacket pocket. He was fined AED 1,500 and told to leave the country immediately. No appeals, no second chances.

What About Nicotine Patches or Gum?

This is where people get confused. Nicotine replacement therapies like patches, gum, or lozenges are legal in Dubai. You can bring them in for personal use, as long as they’re in their original packaging and not in excessive quantities. A three-month supply is generally considered acceptable. Pharmacists in Dubai can also prescribe nicotine gum if you need it while you’re there.

But don’t confuse nicotine gum with vaping. The law treats them completely differently. Vaping is seen as a recreational activity with potential for abuse. Nicotine patches are seen as medical tools. That distinction matters-and officials know it.

What Should You Do Instead?

If you’re a regular vaper, you have a few options:

1. Stop completely before you arrive. Give yourself a week or two to adjust. Use nicotine gum or patches if you need help.
2. Use the time in Dubai to reset your habits. Many people find that being in a strict environment helps them quit for good.
3. If you absolutely must have nicotine, buy legal gum or patches from a pharmacy in Dubai. They’re available at pharmacies like Boots, Life Pharmacy, and Ibn Sina.

There’s no way around it: if you bring a vape to Dubai, you’re gambling with your freedom. And it’s not worth it.

Why Is Dubai So Strict?

Dubai’s approach to vaping isn’t arbitrary. It’s part of a broader cultural and health policy. The UAE government views nicotine addiction as a public health crisis, and they’re determined to prevent youth vaping. In 2024, a Ministry of Health report showed a 40% increase in teen vaping cases over the previous two years-mostly linked to imported devices. That’s why they’ve taken such a hard line.

Also, public behavior in Dubai is closely tied to cultural norms. Smoking or vaping in public is seen as disrespectful. Even traditional smoking is restricted in many areas. The government wants Dubai to be seen as a clean, modern city-and vaping doesn’t fit that image.

What About International Flights?

Even on your flight to Dubai, you can’t use your vape. Airlines follow IATA guidelines, which prohibit vaping on all flights. But more importantly, if you’re caught vaping mid-flight, you could be handed over to UAE authorities upon landing. There have been cases where passengers were detained before even exiting the plane.

And don’t think you can hide it in checked luggage. Airport scanners detect lithium batteries and e-liquid containers. If your vape shows up on the X-ray, you’ll be pulled aside.

What If You’re Just Passing Through?

Even if you’re only transiting through Dubai Airport, the rules still apply. You can’t carry a vape in your hand luggage, and you can’t store it in your checked bag without risking confiscation. If you’re flying with Emirates, Etihad, or any other airline, your bag will be scanned. There’s no “transit exemption.”

Your safest bet? Leave your vape at home. Pack it in your checked luggage and assume it will be taken. Don’t risk the stress, the fine, or the possibility of missing your connecting flight.

What About CBD Vapes?

CBD is a common loophole people try to use. But in the UAE, CBD is classified as a controlled substance-even if it’s derived from hemp and contains no THC. Any product that delivers CBD via vapor is illegal. The same penalties apply. You can’t bring CBD oil into the country unless it’s prescribed and approved by the UAE Ministry of Health, and even then, it can’t be vaped.

There’s no gray area here. If it’s a vape pen with any kind of liquid inside, it’s banned.

Final Advice: Don’t Risk It

Dubai is one of the safest and most beautiful cities in the world. But it’s also one of the most strict when it comes to personal behavior. What’s normal in Sydney, London, or Los Angeles can land you in serious trouble here.

If you want to enjoy Dubai without complications, leave your vape at home. Bring nicotine gum if you need it. Use the trip as a chance to reset. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re walking through the Dubai Mall, sipping a mint lemonade, and not worrying about whether someone saw you puffing in the elevator.

The rules aren’t going to change. The enforcement is getting tighter. And the penalties? They’re real.