Can you smoke in public in UAE? Rules, fines, permitted areas: What you need to know
The United Arab Emirates has some of the most comprehensive tobacco control laws in the region. Whether you're a smoker, a vaper, or a shisha user, it's essential to understand where smoking is permitted, and where it could cost you a hefty fine.
This guide explains the UAE's current smoking laws, what's allowed, what's banned, and who is most protected under federal legislation.
Where Smoking Is Not Allowed
Smoking, whether it's traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or shisha, is prohibited in most enclosed public spaces. Here's where smoking is strictly banned:
Shopping malls, cinemas, restaurants, indoor cafés, and hotels (unless they have licensed smoking rooms)
Offices, government buildings, and other indoor workplaces
Public transport, including the
Dubai
Metro, buses, taxis, and airport terminals
Educational institutions such as schools and universities
Healthcare
facilities and sports venues
Places of worship
Public parks, beaches, and recreational areas (unless designated smoking zones are clearly marked)
Indoor smoking is only allowed in designated smoking rooms that are:
Fully enclosed
Isolated from non-smoking areas
Equipped with proper ventilation
Officially licensed and approved
Laws Protecting Children
The UAE places a strong focus on protecting children from tobacco exposure:
Federal law prohibits smoking in private or public vehicles when a child under the age of 12 is present. (Violators can face fines starting from Dh5,000.)
Under Federal Law No. 3 of 2016, also known as Wadeema's Law, smoking in the presence of children is prohibited, both in public and private settings.
Sales Restrictions
Sale of tobacco products to anyone under 18 is strictly forbidden.
Sellers must verify the buyer's age.
Failure to comply can lead to:
Jail terms of at least three months
Fines starting from Dh15,000
In serious cases involving child endangerment, fines can reach up to Dh1 million
Shisha and Vaping Rules
Shisha Regulations
Shisha cafés in the UAE are subject to strict location and operating rules to protect public health and maintain community standards. Under current regulations, these establishments must not be located within 150 metres of certain sensitive sites—unless granted a special licence. These restricted areas include:
Residential buildings
Schools, colleges
Mosques
In addition to location rules, the Dubai Municipality has implemented a complete ban on smoking shisha in public recreational spaces, including:
Public parks
Beaches
Other recreational areas
Dubai also prohibits pregnant women from entering shisha cafés, regardless of whether they intend to smoke.
Meanwhile, in Sharjah, the restrictions go even further. Since 2008, the emirate has enforced a blanket ban on smoking in all public areas, which includes shisha use across the board.
Vaping Regulations
In the UAE, vaping is regulated in the same way as traditional cigarette smoking. It is strictly prohibited in all enclosed public spaces, which includes locations such as:
Offices
Indoor public areas
Vaping is only permitted in licensed smoking rooms that meet official requirements. These rooms must be:
Properly ventilated
Fully enclosed and isolated from non-smoking areas
All vaping-related rules fall under Federal Law No. 15 of 2009 on Tobacco Control, which governs all forms of tobacco consumption. This includes:
Electronic cigarettes
Vape devices
Designated smoking areas are allowed, but only if they fully comply with licensing and safety standards.
Where Smoking Is Allowed
Despite the UAE's strict anti-smoking laws, there are still clearly designated and regulated areas where smoking is permitted. These spaces are carefully controlled to ensure minimal exposure to non-smokers and compliance with public health standards.
Designated Outdoor Areas
Smoking is generally allowed in open-air public spaces, provided there are no signs explicitly prohibiting it. In most cases, cigarette smoking may be permitted on public beaches, unless a specific ban is indicated.
However, it's important to note that shisha smoking is not allowed on beaches in Dubai under municipal regulations.
Licensed Smoking Rooms
Indoor smoking is permitted only in licensed smoking rooms located in certain public facilities, such as:
Airports
Shopping malls
Government buildings
These rooms must be:
Fully enclosed
Properly ventilated
Clearly marked to differentiate them from non-smoking zones
Licensed Shisha Cafés
Shisha cafés may operate either indoors or outdoors, but only under strict regulatory conditions. These include:
Municipal approval to operate
Adherence to location restrictions (such as minimum distance from schools and mosques)
Adequate ventilation systems
Entry restrictions, including a ban on pregnant women entering shisha cafés in Dubai, regardless of whether they plan to smoke
Tobacco-Free Workplace Policies
The foundation of the UAE's strict smoking regulations is laid out in two key federal laws aimed at protecting public health, particularly that of minors and non-smokers.
Federal Law No. 15 of 2009 – Tobacco Control Law
This law sets clear national standards on where and how tobacco products may be sold or consumed. It prohibits:
Smoking in all enclosed public spaces
Selling tobacco to individuals under the age of 18
Smoking in vehicles when a child under 12 is present
Smoking in schools, healthcare facilities, sports venues, and places of worship
It also bans
The sale of tobacco-themed sweets or candy
The use of vending machines to sell tobacco products
All forms of tobacco advertising, regardless of format or platform
Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 – Wadeema's Law
Also known as Wadeema's Law, this legislation is focused on the protection of children's rights and well-being. Key provisions include:
A strict prohibition on smoking in the presence of minors
A ban on the sale of tobacco products to children
Severe penalties for violations that endanger child safety, including potential jail terms and fines reaching up to Dh1 million in serious cases
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