IQOS tobacco heating systems will go on sale in the United Arab Emirates.
July 22, 2019 tobacco giant Philip Morris International (PMI) announced that 11 supermarkets and stores in the UAE will sell iQOS tobacco heating systems. Previously, the devices went on sale at Dubai Duty Free.
The company claims that its technology, built on heating, rather than on burning tobacco, has a much less negative effect on human health than regular cigarettes. However, not all researchers agree that smoking gadgets are so safe.
It was previously reported that the United Arab Emirates are introducing rules to legalize the sale of electronic cigarettes and vape devices. Manufacturers will be allowed to sell battery-powered devices if they meet new standards and contain health warnings similar to traditional cigarettes.
The UAE government will not tax the heating systems themselves, but cartridges (the main consumable for iQOS users) will be taxed at 100 percent.
The PMI expects that the sale of new-generation iQOS 3 devices in stores will outstrip the black market of gadgets, which thrives online. Device prices here are more than three times the retail price. In the UAE, iQOS gadgets will be sold over-the-counter for 250 dirhams ($ US 68). In online stores, the amounts reach 800 dirhams ($ US 217). Currently, tobacco cartridges are imported into the UAE from China and Russia and are also sold without a license online.
Choithrams, Spinneys, Al Maya and Carrefour chain stores will be among the first points of sale for devices.
Representatives of British American Tobacco also announced that in the near future they will launch their latest vape device, Vype ePen 3, in the UAE market.
