Can You Smoke In Abu Dhabi or Dubai?

Many tourists or residents have a lot of questions related to smoking about conservative Abu Dhabi or UAE. This is an insider’s information about common questions like whether Abu Dhabi or United Arab Emirates allow smoking, what are smoking laws, where can you smoke and where you can’t.

Cigarette, E-cigarette, Vape and Shisha smoking are legal in Abu Dhabi or Dubai for adults above 18 years. Smoking is allowed in places like streets, home, cars, designated hotel rooms, bars and night clubs but not malls, taxis, parks. During Ramadan from dawn to dusk, smoking is prohibited in public places.

Are Smoking rules in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Different?
Although Abu Dhabi and Dubai have different rules in many cases, as far as Smoking is considered, both cities and emirates follow same rules. Therefore, all the information stated here holds true for both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

United Arab Emirate being conservative country, many tourists or residents want to know if Smoking is allowed in Abu Dhabi or UAE as a whole. But I just want to let readers know that they should not worry about smoking in United Arab Emirates or in Abu Dhabi.

Cigarette, E-cigarette, Vape and Shisha smoking

Cigarette

Traditional cigarette smoking is the most popular smoking type in Abu Dhabi. It is completely allowed to smoke for anyone above 18 years. You do not need any license to smoke in Abu Dhabi.

You can easily see people smoking on streets of Abu Dhabi. However, throwing cigarette butts on street is prohibited. You will face fines if cigarette butts are thrown on streets or you smoke in non smoking areas. Smoking is allowed in designated hotel rooms, bars and night clubs. Some restaurants have indoor smoking area.

E-cigarette

E-cigarettes are becoming popular in the world nowadays. It is banned in some countries due to health reasons or even sometimes economic reasons. However, e-cigarettes are allowed in Abu Dhabi and you can see people smoking e-cigarettes on streets.

Vape

Vape is allowed in Abu Dhabi for adults above 18 years old. You could see many Vape shops scattered across city.

Shisha

Shisha smoking or hookah is popular smoking especially in middle east. It totally allowed for anyone above 18 years. You do not need any license to smoke in Abu Dhabi. Shisha is available in many restaurants and bars. Shisha smoking is available in desert safari tour as well.

Pregnant women are not allowed to enter any cafe which serves Shisha.

Many shops are present in Abu Dhabi to buy Shisha accessories. Many friends of mine purchased shisha accessories at very cheap rates in Abu Dhabi. Though dentists warn people about discoloured teeth due to Shisha, it is popular with the locals and tourists alike.

Smoking Laws

As per UAE laws, below is not allowed (source gulfnews.com)

• The sale of tobacco products to those under 18
• Smoking in private cars when a child under the age of 12 is present
• Smoking in houses of worship, educational institutions (such as universities and schools), health and sports facilities
• The sale of sweets, which resemble tobacco products
• Automatic vending equipment and devices for tobacco distribution inside the country
• Tobacco advertisement
• Smoking in closed public spaces.

Shisha cafes, except those that have applied for a special licence, are banned from operating within 150 metres of residential areas, schools and mosques.

Smoking in public and private places

Let’s now check smoking in various public and private places.

Streets

Smoking is allowed on streets in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. However, throwing butts on the road is prohibited and is subject to fine. However, I have seen people throwing butts on streets.

Smoking At Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)

While all Abu Dhabi International Airport terminals are non-smoking buildings, there are enclosed smoking lounges and booths in each of the terminals.

Each terminal has a designated smoking lounge located after passport control:

• Terminal 1 – 1st floor, The Al Dhabi Lounge
• Terminal 2 – Ground floor
• Terminal 3 – 2nd floor

Smokers can enjoy great air quality while having a cigarette in a smoking lounge or booth.

Smoking At Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Smoking in public areas is not allowed. Smoking is allowed in smoking lounges in all terminals which are comfortable and well-ventilated.

Smoking lounges are at below locations:

• Terminal 1: Gate D12, Upper level
• Terminal 2: Near the departure area
• Terminal 3: Gates A2, A23, B7, B27, C9, C23

Hotels

Smoking is allowed in Smoking rooms only. And obviously not allowed in non-smoking rooms.

Hence, it is better to ask for smoking rooms explicitly if you are a smoker.

Home

It is completely legal to smoke in your home. Please make sure that fire alarms are turned off while smoking.

Car

It is allowed to smoke in cars. However, if child under 12 years old is present in the car, it is prohibited to smoke.

Bars or night clubs

Smoking in bars and night bars is legal.

Smoke free areas

Taxi

Smoking in taxis is not allowed.

Shopping malls and shops

Smoking is not allowed in malls and other shops.

Parks

Smoking in parks is not allowed.

Offices

Smoking is not allowed in government offices and private offices. You need to come out of building to smoke. However, trashcans are generally kept outside offices entrance or exit for convenience of the employees.

Schools, Universities and hospitals

Smoking is prohibited in schools, universities and hospitals.

Smoking during Ramadan

During Ramadan, smoking in public places is prohibited during fasting hours (from dawn to dusk). Before and after fasting hours, smoking is allowed in public places.

Though you can smoke in private places like home, designated hotels rooms, indoor cafes in hotels during fasting hours.

During Ramadan, my friends could not smoking outside office building. But they could go to indoor cafe in hotel for smoking.

Buying cigarettes In Abu Dhabi Or Dubai?

Cigarettes are easily available in Baqala (grocery shops – which are present at every street corner), supermarkets, hypermarkets etc.

Vape, e-cigarettes are available at vape/e-cigarette shops. For Shisha and accessories are available at Shisha shops.

In 2017, UAE government imposed 100% excise tax on all tobacco products to reduce the prevalence of smoking in the country.

The price of 1 packet of Marlboro cigarettes in Abu Dhabi is 21 Dirham or 5.72 US Dollar.