Can You Smoke in Dubai? 2025 Guide to Smoking, Vaping, Shisha, and Fines

TL;DR

• Yes, you can smoke in Dubai-but only in designated areas. No smoking in enclosed public places, public transport, many beaches/parks, and around kids in cars.
• Vaping and IQOS are legal and treated like cigarettes: use them only where smoking is allowed. Shisha is legal at licensed venues.
• Expect strict enforcement. Fines for smoking where it’s banned range from low hundreds of dirhams to four figures depending on the authority and location.
• Duty‑free tobacco allowance: typically 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500 g tobacco for personal use. Never bring cannabis/CBD-zero tolerance.
• Hotels and malls mark smoking zones. When in doubt, ask staff; during Ramadan, avoid daytime smoking in public out of respect.

You’re probably wondering one thing: can you smoke in Dubai without getting into trouble? Short answer: yes, but the city keeps it tidy with strict rules and designated zones. If you stick to the signs, ask staff when it’s fuzzy, and leave vapes and shisha for approved spaces, you’ll be fine.

Where you can (and can’t) smoke in Dubai

Dubai’s baseline rule: no smoking in enclosed public places. That includes malls, offices, government buildings, cinemas, supermarkets, public transport, and most indoor venues. You’ll find clearly marked smoking rooms or outdoor corners at large hotels, malls, and some restaurants. If there’s no sign, assume it’s a no.

Public beaches and parks are increasingly smoke‑free. Dubai Municipality has rolled out no‑smoking zones at popular beaches and family parks, with designated smoking spots set back from crowds. Don’t light up on the sand unless you can see a smoking sign; it’s a common place for fines.

Hotels are mixed. Many offer smoking rooms or balconies, but plenty of floors are entirely smoke‑free. Lighting up in a non‑smoking room can trigger both a municipal fine and a hotel cleaning fee. Always book a smoking room if you need one, and ask reception where the nearest outdoor smoking area is.

Bars, beach clubs, and nightclubs often have outdoor terraces or designated rooms. Indoors is typically non‑smoking unless a dedicated smoking lounge exists. Even where alcohol is served, the smoking policy doesn’t loosen.

Transport is a hard no. No smoking or vaping on the Metro, trams, buses, taxis, or ride‑shares-and not in stations or shelters either. The fines here are stiff and well enforced. If you’re waiting for a ride, step away from the taxi stand to a marked area.

In your own car, you can smoke-but never with children under 12 inside. That’s a federal health rule, and police do check. Windows down won’t change it.

Age rules are simple: 18+ to buy and use tobacco products, including vapes and shisha. Venues check ID.

Ramadan etiquette matters. You’ll still find designated smoking areas in some hotels and private spaces, but smoking publicly during daylight is frowned upon. Keep it discreet until sunset, especially in family areas and on streets.

“Smoking is prohibited in closed public places. It is also prohibited to smoke while driving in the presence of a child under 12 years.” - UAE Government Portal, Tobacco Control Law (Federal Law No. 15 of 2009) and related health directives

When in doubt, apply the 10‑second rule: if you can’t spot a smoking sign within 10 seconds of looking around, don’t light up. Ask a staff member instead.

Heuristics that keep you out of trouble:

• Signs over assumptions: if there’s no smoking icon, don’t smoke.
• Crowds with kids = no zone: beaches, parks, playground areas are often smoke‑free.
• Transport is always a no: platforms, stations, interiors, taxi queues-just don’t.
• Ask staff: hospitality teams will point you to the right spot.

Vaping, shisha, and buying or bringing tobacco in 2025

Vaping is legal in the UAE, provided products meet national standards. Practically, that means you can vape-but only where smoking is allowed. Treat your vape like a cigarette: never in enclosed public places or on transport. Many malls and hotels have outdoor zones where you’ll see people using pods or disposables.

Heat‑not‑burn devices (like IQOS) sit under the same rules. The device is fine; the tobacco sticks count as tobacco. Use them only in smoking areas.

Shisha is a big part of the local hospitality scene and entirely legal at licensed cafés and hotel lounges. Most venues seat shisha outdoors or in designated rooms with strong ventilation. Minimum age is 18. You’ll also see flavor menus; fruit‑head setups and premium tobaccos cost more.

What about bringing your own? UAE customs allow a personal duty‑free tobacco allowance that typically covers one of the following per adult traveler:

• 400 cigarettes, or
• 50 cigars, or
• 500 grams of loose tobacco

That’s for tobacco. For e‑cigarettes and e‑liquids, the rule of thumb is “reasonable personal use.” Keep it modest: a couple of devices and enough sealed bottles for your trip. Pack vapes and batteries in your cabin bag, not checked luggage. Put liquids in your liquids bag at security like any other 100 ml container.

Prices have moved up thanks to excise tax. Ballpark 2025 prices in Dubai:

• Pack of 20 cigarettes: roughly AED 18-30, depending on brand.
• Shisha at a mid‑range café: AED 60-120; premium hotel lounges can run AED 150-250+.
• Disposable vape: AED 35-70; 60 ml e‑liquid: AED 50-100+, based on brand and nicotine strength.

Where to buy:

• Duty‑free on arrival has major cigarette brands and sometimes heat‑sticks.
• Supermarkets and small groceries sell cigarettes; tobacco shops handle cigars and shisha supplies.
• Specialty vape stores are common in malls and high‑street strips; staff can advise on local rules and nic strengths.

What not to bring:

• Any cannabis or THC product, including edibles or oils.
• CBD oils and CBD‑infused vapes. Labelling doesn’t protect you if there’s THC.
• Unlabelled homemade e‑liquid or bottles that look like medicine/drops-expect questions.

Dubai Airport tips:

• Smoke only in marked lounges before and after passport control; they’re well signposted.
• Vape batteries go in your carry‑on; remove pods/cartridges before security if requested.
• Keep receipts if you’re carrying lots of legitimate vape gear; it can smooth questions.

Ramadan rhythm for shisha and vaping: venues shift to evening service. After sunset (iftar), shisha lounges get busy; during daylight, expect reduced or paused service in public‑facing areas, though hotel venues may run discreetly. Always follow the venue’s lead.

Quick packing list for smokers/vapers coming to Dubai:

• Enough cigarettes/tobacco for a few days, plus cash or card to restock.
• Vape device, spare coils, and a couple of sealed e‑liquid bottles (carry‑on).
• Portable ash tube or pocket ashtray for beach/park use-littering is fined.
• Printout or screenshot of your device manual for airport queries.

Fines, enforcement, and how to avoid hassles

Dubai enforces smoking rules consistently. Inspectors and security staff in malls, beaches, and parks are active, and transport authorities are strict. If you light up where you shouldn’t, the usual pattern is a warning or a fine on the spot-no long debates. Keep your ID handy.

How big are the fines? It depends on who’s in charge of the space. Municipal fines for smoking in prohibited areas generally sit in the low to mid hundreds of dirhams. Transport fines can be higher, and repeat or aggravated cases climb fast. Littering cigarette butts is also fined. Numbers change, so take posted signage as your source of truth on the day.

Decision path you can use in seconds:

1. Am I indoors or under a roof? If yes, don’t smoke unless it’s a marked smoking room.
2. Am I on or near transport? If yes, don’t smoke or vape-walk to a signed area.
3. Do I see families/kids? If yes, assume it’s a no‑smoking zone unless clearly signed.
4. Is it Ramadan daylight? If yes, keep it private and in designated areas only.
5. Still unsure? Ask a staff member; they’ll point you to the right spot.

Pocket checklist

• Only smoke/vape where a sign says you can.
• Never in taxis, ride‑shares, or stations.
• No smoking in cars with kids under 12.
• Use ashtrays; don’t drop butts or ash.
• During Ramadan, wait for sunset in public spaces.

Mini‑FAQ

• Can I smoke on my hotel balcony? Often yes if your room is a smoking room and the hotel allows balcony smoking. If the room is non‑smoking, using the balcony can still trigger fees. Check house rules.
• Can I vape inside a mall? No. Use outdoor smoking areas or dedicated smoking rooms where provided.
• What about shisha in public beaches? Only in permitted venues or marked areas; many beaches are smoke‑free outside those spots.
• Is IQOS legal? Yes. Same rules as cigarettes-designated areas only.
• Can I smoke in a taxi if the driver agrees? No. Taxis and ride‑shares are non‑smoking by law, regardless of consent.
• What’s the legal age? 18 for buying and using tobacco, vapes, and shisha.
• Is CBD allowed? Don’t risk it. Products containing THC are illegal; travellers have faced serious penalties for trace amounts.
• Do I need to declare cigarettes at customs? If you’re within the duty‑free allowance (e.g., 400 cigarettes), you typically don’t. If you’re carrying more, declare to avoid penalties and taxes.

Next steps and troubleshooting

• Just landed and need a smoke? Follow airport signs to the smoking lounge before you exit customs. Outside the terminal, only use posted areas.
• Staying in an Airbnb? Ask your host in writing about smoking rules (inside vs. balcony). Many buildings have shared outdoor areas with ashtrays.
• Got fined? Pay promptly through the channel indicated on the ticket (municipality, transport authority, or venue). Delays can increase the amount.
• Lost your vape coil? Head to a mall vape shop; bring your device so staff can match the right coil and advise on local nicotine limits.
• Traveling during Ramadan? Plan smoke breaks at hotels or private venues. After sunset, you’ll find more options open.

Sourcing and credibility

Rules here reflect the UAE Tobacco Control Law (Federal Law No. 15 of 2009), Dubai Municipality public‑space policies, RTA transport codes of conduct, and Dubai Airports passenger guidance. For the most current spot‑specific fines and smoking zones, trust what’s printed on local signage or ask venue staff-that’s the standard the city enforces on the day.

If you keep two habits-look for the sign and ask when unsure-you’ll get your smoke or vape without stress, and without a fine following you home.