Have you noticed coworkers lighting up their e-cigarettes in the office, mistakenly believing that anti-smoking laws don't cover vaping? A legal expert has cautioned that this widespread practice in some offices is actually illegal. "In the UAE, smoking, including vaping, is banned in enclosed public spaces and workplaces under a federal law on tobacco control. This prohibition extends to common areas like lobbies and parking zones," explained Mahmoud Kreidie, a lawyer at Ahmad Bin Hezeem and Associates LLP, in an interview with Khaleej Times. "Designated smoking areas must comply with stringent conditions for isolation and ventilation set by the relevant authority." Minor infractions lead to immediate fines of Dh500, while more serious or repeated offenses could incur severe penalties.
Despite the clear no-smoking policies in many offices across the UAE, the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices remains a common issue. A UAE resident, who wished to remain anonymous, confessed to smoking inside her office. "It's just a habit now," said the woman, an accountant at a prominent Dubai firm. "I used to smoke heavily, and switching to vaping has helped me cut down. I'm too lazy to go outside every time I need a puff. I usually do it in my own office when no one is around, so I'm not bothering anyone. It's not like regular cigarettes; the smoke doesn't cling to the furniture or make the place smell." Another smoker, an IT specialist, also admitted to smoking in his office, stating, "As long as my colleagues don't mind, I don't see the harm in it."
Colleagues often tolerate this behavior, mistakenly assuming it's legal. "It's quite offensive to have someone vaping in a shared office space," remarked Fatima, a marketing executive. "You never know if someone has asthma or other respiratory issues that could be worsened by second-hand smoke. It's inconsiderate and against the rules we're all supposed to follow." Authorities clarify that anti-smoking laws apply to both cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Therefore, if employees can't smoke cigarettes inside their offices, they can't vape either.
While e-cigarettes and vaping may produce fewer odors than traditional tobacco products, many office buildings enforce strict no-smoking policies to adhere to fire safety and air quality regulations. In June, the UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) urged companies with 'tobacco-free' policies to take disciplinary action against employees who violate their smoking prohibition procedures. "The MoHAP has issued a guide encouraging private entities to adopt and enforce a tobacco-free policy, outlining the steps for implementation," Kreidie detailed. "MoHAP mandates that companies with such policies take disciplinary actions against employees who violate smoking prohibitions, starting with informing the smoker of the policy and issuing a written notice."
The ministry recommends integrating the tobacco-free policy into professional performance documents and developing clear, written procedures. "This includes appointing responsible management and staff, raising employee awareness, providing cessation support, communicating procedures to all staff, and detailing measures for non-compliance. The policy implementation should include visible signage at facility entrances and throughout the premises, strictly prohibiting smoking without exception, including in vehicles and outdoor areas." This year, health authorities in the UAE cautioned against promoting electronic smoking products as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes. There is no scientific evidence to support these claims, according to MoHAP.
