Electronic cigarettes can be hazardous to people’s health as they contain carcinogens and toxic materials, according to a senior official at the ministry of health (MoH). The e-cigarette cannot be recognised or marketed as a “quit smoking” therapy in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, said Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the tobacco control team at the ministry of health.

“There has been no approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States that it can be used as a therapy and there is no recommendation from the MoH,” she pointed out. She added that, based on the findings, the municipality will recommend a ban on the import of e-cigarettes. On 21 August, a shipment of e-cigarettes, which arrived at the Dubai International Airport, was blocked by Dubai customs. (sra)