Smoke Free Sweden Urges UAE to Ease Nicotine Alternative Regulations

A comparative research report titled "Tale of Two Nations: UAE v Sweden", published by Smoke Free Sweden, states that the United Arab Emirates' cautious approach to safer nicotine alternatives is slowing progress in reducing smoking rates. The study concludes that the UAE could accelerate health outcomes by integrating tobacco harm-reduction strategies alongside its established anti-smoking policies.

According to the report, the UAE lowered its adult smoking rate (daily or occasional) from 14.7% in 2019 to 11.1% in 2024, with daily smoking currently standing at approximately 7%. By comparison, Sweden brought daily adult smoking down to 5.3% in 2024—the lowest in Europe—by pairing traditional tobacco controls with widespread consumer access to alternative products, including snus, vapes, and nicotine pouches.

The report notes that while vapes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches are permitted in the UAE, regulation remains restrictive. Snus is prohibited, health claims cannot be made for nicotine pouches, and alternative products often face taxation and marketing constraints similar to traditional combustible cigarettes.

Report co-authors Dr. Mohammad Fawzi Katranji, consultant pulmonologist at Sulaiman Habib Hospital Dubai, and Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden, urged the UAE to establish a coordinated national harm reduction framework. They recommended aligning excise taxes and regulations with relative health risks, improving public education on alternatives, and maintaining strong measures against underage use.