UAE unveils plans to regulate Shisha tobacco products

The UAE's Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is expanding its electronic monitoring process for tobacco products to ensure their compliance with excise tax requirements.

Only cigarettes are covered under the scheme currently, but it will be extended from the fourth quarter of 2019 to include shisha tobacco as well.

The digital tracking system, which came into effect at the start of this year, allows the FTA to monitor tobacco products, all the way from production until they reach the consumer.

It involves the use of a digital stamp on the items, regardless of whether they are imported or packaged locally.

The data on the electronic seal will help the FTA verify the product's authenticity and whether the excise dues have been settled.