Research shows that nearly 40% of college students in the UAE use e-cigarettes, ranking first among Arab countries

Key points:

·Usage Data: Among the students in the UAE, the e-cigarette usage rate is 39.6%, the highest among the five countries surveyed, surpassing Kuwait (24.2%) and Saudi Arabia (8.8%). 

·The high usage rate is attributed to four main factors, including the easy availability of e-cigarette products, a variety of flavor options, strong online marketing efforts, and the high disposable income of UAE residents. 

·Health Risks and Regulatory Situation: Doctors emphasize that although e-cigarettes are considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes, there are still significant health risks associated with their use. 

·Currently, UAE law permits the sale of e-cigarettes to individuals aged 18 and above, but some students are calling for stricter regulatory measures to be implemented. 

·Diverse Motivations for Students' Use: Some students choose e-cigarettes for their flavors, prices, and convenience, while others see them as alternatives to cigarettes or hookah. Some students also point out the need to address addiction issues.

In a report by the Filipino Times on September 24, 2025, a new regional study shows that nearly 40% of university students in the UAE use e-cigarettes, the highest percentage among the Arab countries covered in the study.

Researchers pointed out that the 39.6% utilization rate is related to the easy availability, wide range of flavors, strong online marketing efforts, and high disposable income of residents of e-cigarette products in the United Arab Emirates.

A study surveyed 1,338 university students from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with 237 respondents from the UAE.

Malik Sallam, the research lead at Jordan University, described the data as "shocking" and highlighted how it has prompted questions about changing societal norms related to nicotine use.

Doctors warn that although e-cigarettes are often considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes, they still pose significant health risks. Currently, UAE law allows the sale of e-cigarette products to individuals aged 18 and above.

Some students have expressed being attracted to the flavors, affordability, and convenience of e-cigarettes; others mentioned that even teenagers can easily access them. "Buying e-cigarettes is too easy now, with many options to choose from," a student from Abu Dhabi University said, calling for stricter regulatory measures to be put in place.

Other students have also expressed using e-cigarettes as alternatives to traditional cigarettes or hookah. "What really needs to be addressed is the addiction itself," said 21-year-old Ahmad Makhlouf, a student who uses e-cigarettes daily.

The e-cigarette usage rate in the UAE is much higher than in other surveyed countries: 24.2% in Kuwait, 20.5% in Jordan, 8.8% in Saudi Arabia, and 7.3% in Egypt. Among all surveyed countries, the average e-cigarette usage rate among university students is 21.2%, making it the most widely used nicotine product among young people in the region.