UAE Smoking Regulations 2025 – Quick Guide

If you’re heading to the Emirates, the first thing to sort out is where you can smoke and where you can’t. The rules are strict but simple once you know them. You’ll find designated smoking rooms in most hotels, airports, and big malls. Outside those spots, lighting a cigarette can land you with a fine that starts at 500 AED.

Public parks, beaches, and most indoor venues are completely smoke‑free. The law also covers water pipes and shisha – they belong in licensed lounges that have a proper ventilation system. If you step into a restaurant or café and see a sign that says “No Smoking,” it applies to both tobacco and e‑cigarettes. Ignoring the sign can cost you more than the cigarette itself.

Where You Can Smoke and Where You Can’t

To stay on the right side of the law, follow these quick checkpoints:

• Hotels: Look for rooms labeled “Smoking Allowed.” Most chains have a dedicated floor or wing for smokers.
• Airports: Dubai International Airport has a few smoking lounges near Terminals 1 and 3. No smoking in the departure halls.
• Malls: Only the indoor smoking lounges in large malls like Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall are legal.
• Public transport: No smoking on the Metro, buses, or trams. Fines are higher for repeat offenders.
• Outdoor areas: Parks, beaches, and desert camps are smoke‑free zones unless a private event provides a designated area.

When in doubt, ask the staff. Most venues will point you to the nearest legal smoking spot without a fuss.

Vaping, E‑Cigarettes, and New Restrictions

Vaping has become popular, but the UAE treats it almost like traditional tobacco. You can vape in the same places that allow smoking, but you cannot use e‑cigarettes in vape‑free zones such as schools, hospitals, and government buildings. Carrying a vape in your hand‑luggage is fine, but you must keep it in your carry‑on, not checked baggage.

Flavored e‑liquids without nicotine are allowed, but any product containing nicotine or THC is illegal. Customs will confiscate it, and you could face a fine. If you’re buying vape gear locally, stick to licensed stores that display a UAE health authority seal.

Chewing gum has its own set of quirks. While it’s not a smoking issue, many public places ban gum that contains nicotine or CBD. Regular sugar‑free gum is fine, but avoid popping it in formal settings like banks or banks of the Metro.

Finally, remember that the fines aren’t just about money. Repeated violations can lead to points on your driver’s license or even temporary detention. The easiest way to enjoy the UAE without hassle is to respect the signs, use the designated rooms, and keep your vape discreet.

So next time you’re out for a coffee or a night out, check the sign, ask the staff, and you’ll stay clear of fines while still getting your nicotine fix the right way.