The UAE’s Move Towards a Smoke-Free Future: A Look at Modern Alternatives

CONTENTS:

1. Introduction, Why More UAE Residents are Looking for Tobacco-Free Options
2. Nicotine Pouches: A Discreet and Convenient Alternative
3. How UAE’s Wellness Trends Align with Smoke-Free Living
4. Business Professionals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Embracing Healthier Choices
5. Reducing Tobacco Use in the Region: A Step Towards a Healthier Nation
6. The Role of Innovation in Shaping Smoking Cessation Alternatives
7. Final Words

Introduction, Why More UAE Residents are Looking for Tobacco-Free OptionsThe United Arab Emirates proportionately has a lower number of adult smokers than many other Middle Eastern countries, with reported numbers of 11.9% (mainly males). Nevertheless, cigarettes are still responsible for nearly 19% of deaths in the United Arab Emirates. Smoking is banned in many public areas with the region’s National Anti-Tobacco Control Committee seeking a total ban on smoking in all public areas. What’s more, smoking is not permitted in closed public spaces and under 18s are forbidden to smoke. Smoking advertising is also restricted. Nevertheless, despite these measures, there is still a smoking pandemic in the UAE but on a positive note, more and more smokers in the region seek smoking cessation, with many looking for tobacco-free options. Recently, nicotine pouches have started to filter into the UAE. While these new, smokeless alternatives are still largely unregulated, their popularity in the UAE is growing. It’s that popularity coupled with mounting pressure on the government to pass regulations to introduce a smokeless category that arguably shows that residents in the UAE want a suitable smoking alternative. Moreover, as nicotine pouches are tobacco-free and fume-free products they genuinely are safer than cigarettes and therefore for the government, these should be a very attractive, healthier alternative that could pave the way towards a smoke-free UAE.Nicotine Pouches: A Discreet and Convenient AlternativeLet’s look at what white snus isThese smokeless products resemble tiny, silky sachets that are filled with a blend of pure-grade nicotine, flavorings (similar to vape juice flavors), sweetener, water and plant-based fibers. They are worn orally (never ingested) and release a steady stream of nicotine and flavors into the mouth.The nicotine and flavors are absorbed through the mouth’s membrane, bypassing the digestive system, creating an intense, pleasurable sensation that feels like a tingling, accompanied by feelings of happiness, energy and relaxation. That sensation lasts approximately half an hour or longer – and successfully puts a stop to cravings for cigarettes, making them incredibly efficient smoking cessation products.There are many benefits, as follows:

• Nicotine pouches are smoke-free so don’t pollute the air and neither do they affect non-users. There’s no risk of passive smoking.
• As they aren’t inhaled, they don’t affect the respiratory system.
• Being tobacco-free, they’re non-carcinogenic, removing the many hazards of cigarettes and e-cigarette use.
• They do not smell and are mess-free.
• The sachets are so small, they’re entirely inconspicuous.
• Being plant-based, these nicotine pouches are biodegradable so they’re better for the environment.
• They aren’t subject to bans and can be used anywhere, at any time.

How UAE’s Wellness Trends Align with Smoke-Free LivingThere’s more too. Nicotine pouches align themselves well with the UAEs growing wellness industry. For one, the UAE is renowned for its top-quality medical health and tourists travel to the region to undergo medical treatment, (medical tourism). The UAE’s tourism strategy is to add 4 million hotel guests by 2031, many of whom will travel to the area solely for medical purposes. Moreover, thanks to the exceptional natural beauty of the UAE, there are hundreds of top-notch wellness resorts focusing on combining health, relaxation and rejuvenation.As a luxurious area, the UAE boasts stylish living spaces that include personalized spa and exercise facilities. Residents have high disposable incomes too which has bolstered its wellness market – worth $67.9 billion in 2023 expected to reach $118.6 billion by 2032 (GCC figures including the UAE). It is fair to say that residents take their health very seriously and that is why nicotine pouches fit in well with the UAE’s preference for healthier lifestyles.Business Professionals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Embracing Healthier ChoicesThat trend extends to business professionals, especially those coming from Dubai and Abu Dhabi – where the wellness tourism industry is especially robust. The feeling is that protecting one's health and wellness is of utmost importance and with business professionals frequently spending time abroad in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, innovation in smokeless alternatives have piqued interest. So much so that these products are beginning to gain noticeable traction in the UAE, as more business professionals embrace them as a replacement for smoking and vaping.Reducing Tobacco Use in the Region: A Step Towards a Healthier NationThe UAE’s government is also committed to reducing the impact of smoking. The government has raised taxation on cigarettes while increasing public education on the dangers of smoking through extensive health campaigns. What’s more, there’s extensive support for smoking cessation in the region and certain public areas are designated as smoke-free to protect non-smokers. While there is not a blanket ban on smoking in all public spaces (yet), there’s every hope that there will be in the future. Regulating nicotine pouches will help to reduce the impact of smoking – and there’s hope that this will happen soon.The Role of Innovation in Shaping Smoking Cessation AlternativesAdded to the above, smokeless alternatives are a superb example of disruptive technology and these are the first products since vaping devices and vape juices that have appeared on the market to challenge tobacco cigarettes. Perhaps e-cigs are safer than traditional cigarettes but in recent years, there’s rising evidence to show that they severely impair respiratory and cardiovascular health. Nicotine pouches, on the other hand, do not affect respiratory function and there’s little evidence to show they pose a risk of heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, in terms of smoking cessation, nicotine pouches do work. They are different to traditional nicotine replacement therapies because they create a sensation, unlike nicotine patches, nicotine sprays, nicotine lozenges and nicotine gum. They also come in desirable flavor choices and a variety of nicotine dosages to suit all users. It’s this type of innovation that’s shaping these products to be really exciting smoking cessation alternatives for people living in the UAE.Final WordsThe UAE is experiencing rapidly growing interest in smoke-free alternatives like nicotine pouches and arguably, this is part of a shift towards healthier lifestyles. The government is concentrating much effort on educating citizens on the dangers of cigarettes and there is hope that it will also look to regulate smokeless products, as they’re proving a promising alternative for smoking cessation, as well as a healthier substitute for smoking. The discreet, plant-based products offer plenty of benefits, such as being fume-free, tobacco-free and eco-friendly too. As wellness trends rise across the UAE, nicotine pouches align well with the nation’s commitment to health and innovation. Perhaps their increasing popularity reflects citizens' desires for a smoke-free future? Certainly regulating these products and encouraging their presence in the UAE could well pave the way for a smoke-free region in the future.