Tobacco in the United Arab Emirates

Despite the global trend of reducing tobacco consumption, the UAE continues to show a consistent demand for tobacco products. The market’s resilience stems from three key factors: a deeply rooted smoking culture amongst the Arab population, including both Emiratis and expatriates from countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan; a relatively high purchasing power that keeps tobacco products affordable for many residents; and a significant contribution from tourists, who often indulge in smoking...

Euromonitor International's Tobacco in United Arab Emirates report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data 2020-2024, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be the new legislative, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2029 illustrate how the market is set to change.

Product coverage: Cigarettes, Cigarettes (Illicit+Legal), Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco, E-Vapour Consumables (Illicit+Legal), Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?
* Get a detailed picture of the Tobacco market;
* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
* Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;
* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.


Tobacco in the United Arab Emirates
Euromonitor International
June 2025
List Of Contents And Tables
TOBACCO IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Tobacco in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retail developments
What next for tobacco?
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Legislation
Legislative overview
Summary 1 Legislation Summary at a Glance
Minimum legal smoking age
Smoking prevalence
Tar levels
Health warnings
Plain packaging
Advertising and sponsorship
Point-of-sale display bans
Smoking in public places
Low ignition propensity (LIP) cigarette regulation
Flavoured tobacco product ban
Reduced harm
Vapour products
PRODUCTION/IMPORTS/EXPORTS
MARKET INDICATORS
Table 1 Number of Adult Smokers by Gender 2019-2024
MARKET DATA
Table 2 Sales of Tobacco by Category: Volume 2019-2024
Table 3 Sales of Tobacco by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 4 Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 5 Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 6 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: Volume 2024-2029
Table 7 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 8 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 9 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
DISCLAIMER
SOURCES
Summary 2 Research Sources
CIGARETTES IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Cigarettes continues steady growth in the UAE
Philip Morris leads, while Winston gains momentum
Forecourt retailers and hospitality channels support growth
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Steady growth and rising premium sales
Slow shift to healthier alternatives
No room for innovation
TAXATION AND PRICING
Taxation rates
Table 78 Taxation and Duty Levies 2019-2024
Average cigarette pack price breakdown
Summary 3 Average Cigarette Pack Price Breakdown
CATEGORY DATA
Table 79 Sales of Cigarettes: Volume 2019-2024
Table 80 Sales of Cigarettes by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 81 Sales of Cigarettes: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 82 Sales of Cigarettes by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 83 Sales of Cigarettes by Blend: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 84 Sales of Cigarettes by Standard/Menthol/Capsule: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 85 Sales of Cigarettes by Regular/Slim/Superslim/Microslim: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 86 Sales of Cigarettes by Pack Size: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 87 Sales of Cigarettes by Price Band: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 88 NBO Company Shares of Cigarettes: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 89 LBN Brand Shares of Cigarettes: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 90 Sales of Cigarettes by Distribution Format: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 91 Illicit Trade Estimate of Cigarettes: Volume 2019-2024
Table 92 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes: Volume 2024-2029
Table 93 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 94 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 95 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 96 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Blend: % Volume 2024-2029
Table 97 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Standard/Menthol/Capsule: % Volume 2024-2029
Table 98 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Regular/Slim/Superslim/Microslim: % Volume 2024-2029
Table 99 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Pack Size: % Volume 2024-2029
Table 100 Forecast Sales of Cigarettes by Price Band: % Volume 2024-2029
CIGARS, CIGARILLOS AND SMOKING TOBACCO IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Steady growth driven by culture and tourism
Cohiba and Al Fakher face new competition
Hospitality channel booming in cigars and pipe tobacco
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Steady outlook for cigars and cigarillos and faster growth for pipe tobacco
Rising competition in pipe tobacco
Innovation driven by expanding range of flavours
CATEGORY DATA
Table 54 Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: Volume 2019-2024
Table 55 Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 56 Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 57 Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 58 Sales of Cigars by Size: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 59 Sales of Cigarillos by Price Platform 2019-2024
Table 60 NBO Company Shares of Cigars and Cigarillos: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 61 LBN Brand Shares of Cigars and Cigarillos: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 62 NBO Company Shares of Cigars: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 63 LBN Brand Shares of Cigars: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 64 NBO Company Shares of Cigarillos: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 65 LBN Brand Shares of Cigarillos: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 66 NBO Company Shares of Smoking Tobacco: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 67 LBN Brand Shares of Smoking Tobacco: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 68 NBO Company Shares of Pipe Tobacco: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 69 LBN Brand Shares of Pipe Tobacco: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 70 NBO Company Shares of Fine Cut Tobacco: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 71 LBN Brand Shares of Fine Cut Tobacco: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 72 Distribution of Cigars and Cigarillos by Format: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 73 Distribution of Smoking Tobacco by Format: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 74 Forecast Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: Volume 2024-2029
Table 75 Forecast Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 76 Forecast Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 77 Forecast Sales of Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
SMOKELESS TOBACCO, E-VAPOUR PRODUCTS AND HEATED TOBACCO IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Category evolving despite challenges from illicit trade
Philip Morris sets the standard in heated tobacco
Specialist stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets lead distribution
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Tourist demand to fuel future growth
Sustainability concerns may shift consumer preferences towards open systems
Cross-category innovation to shape competitive landscape
CATEGORY INDICATORS
Table 10 Number of Adult Vapers 2019-2024
CATEGORY DATA
Table 11 Sales of Smokeless Tobacco by Category: Volume 2019-2024
Table 12 Sales of Smokeless Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 13 Sales of E-Vapour Products by Category: Volume 2019-2024
Table 14 Sales of E-Vapour Products by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 15 Sales of Tobacco Heating Devices: Volume 2019-2024
Table 16 Sales of Tobacco Heating Devices: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 17 Sales of Heated Tobacco: Volume 2019-2024
Table 18 Sales of Heated Tobacco: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 19 Sales of Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine: Volume 2019-2024
Table 20 Sales of Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 21 Sales of Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 22 Sales of Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 23 Sales of Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 24 Sales of Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 25 Sales of E-Liquids by Nicotine Strength: % Value 2021-2024
Table 26 NBO Company Shares of Smokeless Tobacco: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 27 LBN Brand Shares of Smokeless Tobacco: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 28 NBO Company Shares of E-Vapour Products: % Value 2020-2024
Table 29 LBN Brand Shares of E-Vapour Products: % Value 2021-2024
Table 30 NBO Company Shares of Tobacco Heating Devices: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 31 LBN Brand Shares of Tobacco Heating Devices: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 32 NBO Company Shares of Heated Tobacco: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 33 LBN Brand Shares of Heated Tobacco: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 34 NBO Company Shares of Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine: % Volume 2020-2024
Table 35 LBN Brand Shares of Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine: % Volume 2021-2024
Table 36 Distribution of Smokeless Tobacco by Format: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 37 Distribution of E-Vapour Products by Format: % Value 2019-2024
Table 38 Distribution of Tobacco Heating Devices by Format: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 39 Distribution of Heated Tobacco by Format: % Volume 2019-2024
Table 40 Forecast Sales of Smokeless Tobacco by Category: Volume 2024-2029
Table 41 Forecast Sales of Smokeless Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 42 Forecast Sales of E-Vapour Products by Category: Volume 2024-2029
Table 43 Forecast Sales of E-Vapour Products by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 44 Forecast Sales of Tobacco Heating Devices: Volume 2024-2029
Table 45 Forecast Sales of Tobacco Heating Devices: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 46 Forecast Sales of Heated Tobacco: Volume 2024-2029
Table 47 Forecast Sales of Heated Tobacco: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 48 Forecast Sales of Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine: Volume 2024-2029
Table 49 Forecast Sales of Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 50 Forecast Sales of Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 51 Forecast Sales of Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 52 Forecast Sales of Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 53 Forecast Sales of Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029

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