Is vaping legal in Dubai in 2026?

Yes. The UAE legalized regulated vape sales in April 2019 after initially banning them. Vaping products must be ECAS-certified and meet UAE.S 5030 standards. You can legally purchase and use vapes in Dubai, but there are restrictions on where you can vape.

What are the vaping rules in Dubai?

Vaping is prohibited in government buildings, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, public transportation, malls (except designated areas), and enclosed public spaces. You must be 18+ to purchase vapes, and products cannot exceed 20mg/mL nicotine.

Can I bring my vape to Dubai?

Yes. Tourists can bring up to 5 bottles of e-liquid (10mL each, max 20mg/mL nicotine) and personal vape devices. Keep vapes in carry-on luggage with batteries under 100Wh. Declare items at customs if asked.

Can I vape during Ramadan in Dubai?

Public vaping during daylight hours in Ramadan is prohibited and can result in fines up to AED 2,000 or one month imprisonment. This applies to tourists and non-Muslims as well. Vape only in private spaces during fasting hours.

Are there smoking areas at Dubai Airport?

Yes. Dubai International Airport (DXB) has designated smoking lounges in Terminals 1, 2, and 3, both before and after security. You can vape in these designated areas only.

Can You Vape in Dubai? 2026 UAE Laws, Rules & Traveler's Guide

Q: Where can I buy vapes in Dubai?

ECAS-certified vapes are sold at licensed vape shops throughout Dubai, including areas like JBR, Dubai Marina, and major malls. Some pharmacies carry nicotine products. Only purchase from licensed retailers to ensure product compliance.

Can You Vape in Dubai? The Short Answer

Yes, vaping is legal in Dubai and the UAE. The country legalized regulated e-cigarettes in April 2019, ending a previous ban. However, there are important rules to follow:

Products must be ECAS-certified (Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme)
Maximum 20mg/mL nicotine concentration
18+ age requirement for purchases
100% excise tax on vaping products
Restrictions on where you can vape

Dubai is one of the more vape-friendly destinations in the Middle East, but you need to understand the regulations and respect local customs, especially during Ramadan.

Is Vaping Legal in Dubai? Understanding UAE Law

The UAE initially banned e-cigarettes but reversed course in April 2019 under regulations from ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology), now part of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).

UAE Vaping Regulations (Standard UAE.S 5030)

Regulation	Requirement
Certification	ECAS (Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme) required
Nicotine limit	Maximum 20mg/mL
Tank/pod size	2mL max for pods, 10mL max for refillable tanks
Age requirement	18+ with electronic ID verification
Excise tax	100% (doubles the base price)
Online sales	Prohibited within UAE
Advertising	Restricted

What's Legal vs. Illegal

Legal:

ECAS-certified vape devices
E-liquids meeting UAE standards
Personal use in permitted areas
Purchasing from licensed retailers

Illegal:

Non-certified/counterfeit products
Selling to minors
Vaping in prohibited areas
Importing products for resale without permits

What Are the Rules for Vaping in Dubai?

Understanding where you can and cannot vape is essential for avoiding fines.

Where Vaping Is Prohibited

Government buildings and offices
Healthcare facilities and hospitals
Educational institutions
Public transportation (Metro, buses, taxis, trams)
Malls and shopping centers (except designated areas)
Restaurants and cafes (indoor areas)
Cinemas and entertainment venues
Religious sites and mosques
Beaches (most public beaches)

Where Vaping Is Generally Permitted

Private residences and hotel rooms (check hotel policy)
Designated smoking areas in malls and airports
Outdoor areas (with discretion)
Licensed shisha lounges (some allow vaping)
Private vehicles (your own or with driver's permission)

Hotel Policies

Most Dubai hotels treat vaping like smoking:

Smoking rooms - Vaping typically allowed
Non-smoking rooms - Vaping usually prohibited, AED 250-500 cleaning fee if violated
Balconies - Varies by hotel
Pool areas - Usually prohibited
Lobby/common areas - Prohibited

Always check with your specific hotel about their vaping policy.

What Are the Penalties for Breaking Dubai's Vaping Laws?

Dubai enforces vaping regulations, though not as strictly as Singapore or Thailand.

Violation	Fine (AED)	Fine (USD)
Vaping in prohibited area	AED 500-2,000	$135-$545
Vaping in taxi	AED 500	$135
Selling to minors	Up to AED 100,000	$27,200
Selling non-certified products	Up to AED 100,000	$27,200
Repeat offenses	Up to AED 1,000,000 or 2 years	$272,000 or jail
Ramadan public vaping	AED 2,000 or 1 month jail	$545 or jail

Enforcement Reality

Dubai's vaping enforcement is moderate:

Prohibited areas - Security may ask you to stop; fines are possible but not always issued
Taxis - Drivers will refuse passengers who vape; violations reported
Malls - Security will direct you to designated areas
Ramadan violations - Taken more seriously; fines enforced

How Do I Bring My Vape to Dubai?

Travelers can bring personal vaping equipment to Dubai within limits.

Customs Allowances for Tourists

Item	Allowance
E-liquid bottles	Up to 5 bottles
Bottle size	10mL maximum each
Nicotine strength	20mg/mL maximum
Devices	Personal use quantities
Batteries	Under 100Wh, carry-on only

Tips for Traveling with Vapes to Dubai

Pack in carry-on - Lithium batteries cannot go in checked luggage
Keep receipts - May help prove personal use if questioned
Empty tanks - Cabin pressure can cause leaking
Don't bring bulk - Large quantities may appear commercial
Declare if asked - Honesty is the best policy at UAE customs

Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Designated smoking lounges available in Terminals 1, 2, and 3
Lounges available both pre and post-security
Vaping permitted in designated smoking areas only
Look for smoking lounge signs or ask staff

What Should Travelers Know About Vaping in Dubai?

Ramadan Considerations (2026: February 16 - March 22)

During Ramadan, special rules apply:

No public vaping during daylight fasting hours (approximately 5:30 AM - 6:30 PM)
This applies to all people including tourists and non-Muslims
Violations can result in AED 2,000 fines or one month imprisonment
Vape only in private spaces during fasting hours
After sunset (Iftar), restrictions relax in many areas

Cultural Sensitivity

Dubai is more liberal than other Gulf states, but respect local norms
Avoid blowing clouds in crowded public areas
Be discreet near families and children
Don't vape near mosques or during call to prayer
Ask permission before vaping in someone's presence

Popular Vaping Areas for Tourists

JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence):

Several vape shops in The Walk
Outdoor areas more relaxed
Beach itself is technically no-smoking

Dubai Marina:

Multiple vape retailers
Marina Walk has outdoor seating areas
Yacht decks are private spaces

Dubai Mall:

Designated smoking areas available
Multiple licensed vape retailers inside
No vaping in general mall areas

Downtown Dubai:

Various vape shops near Dubai Mall
Burj Khalifa area has designated smoking zones
Souk Al Bahar has outdoor options

Where Can I Buy Vapes in Dubai?

Dubai has a growing vape retail market with licensed shops throughout the city.

Licensed Vape Shops

Licensed retailers sell ECAS-certified products. Popular areas include:

JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) - The Walk and surrounding areas
Dubai Marina - Multiple shops along Marina Walk
Deira - Traditional shopping district
Mall of the Emirates - Licensed retailers inside
Dubai Mall - Several authorized stores
City Centre Mirdif - Vape shops available

What to Look For

ECAS certification on products
Licensed retailer signage
Proper packaging with Arabic health warnings
Receipts for your purchase

Prices

Due to the 100% excise tax, vaping products in Dubai are expensive:

Disposable vapes: AED 50-100 (~$14-$27)
Pod systems: AED 150-300 (~$41-$82)
E-liquid (10mL): AED 40-80 (~$11-$22)

Consider bringing sufficient supplies from home within customs limits.

Dubai Vaping Laws vs. Other Middle Eastern Countries

Country	Vaping Status	Notes
UAE/Dubai	Legal (regulated)	ECAS certification, 20mg/mL limit
Saudi Arabia	Legal (regulated)	Regulated since 2019
Qatar	Banned	Complete prohibition
Kuwait	Legal	Minimal regulation
Bahrain	Legal	Regulated market
Oman	Banned	Prohibition in place
Jordan	Legal	Limited regulation
Egypt	Legal	Largely unregulated

If you're touring the Gulf region, note that Qatar has a complete ban - do not bring vapes if visiting for the day or connecting through Doha.

Vaping in Dubai: Key Takeaways

Vaping is legal in Dubai since April 2019 - products must be ECAS-certified
20mg/mL nicotine limit and 2mL pod size restrictions apply
No vaping in prohibited areas - malls, public transport, government buildings
Ramadan rules are strict - no public vaping during daylight hours (fines up to AED 2,000)
Bring up to 5 bottles (10mL each) when traveling to Dubai
100% excise tax makes local products expensive - bring supplies
Dubai Airport has smoking lounges in all terminals
Respect local customs - be discreet, especially around families
Qatar is banned - don't transit through Doha with vapes
Licensed shops throughout tourist areas for purchases

References

Have questions about vaping laws in other destinations? Check our vaping laws guides for more countries.