The host country for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the Central Asian country of Qatar has been met with excitement by fans, but a notice about e-cigarettes has also caught attention. E-cigarette users attending the World Cup are warned not to use them, with potential violators facing fines up to 10,000 Qatari riyals (equivalent to about 18,000 yuan) or up to three months in jail. This is noteworthy because Qatar is not a country with a smoking ban, and approximately 36% of the population are smokers. It begs the question of why this ban on e-cigarettes is in place. Additionally, there are a significant number of e-cigarette users globally - what is their stance on this ban in Qatar? Is there a possibility that Qatar may open up an e-cigarette market in the future?
Qatar, a small monarchic state surrounded by the Persian Gulf and roughly the size of Tianjin in China, is one of the wealthiest countries in the Arab world due to its abundant oil and natural gas resources. With a GDP of $149.1 billion, it is also the wealthiest country to host the World Cup, which will be held for the first time in a Middle Eastern country and only the second time in Asia. The event is expected to bring significant tourism opportunities to Qatar. However, despite its economic success, 36% of Qatar’s population are smokers, and the country has great potential for the tobacco market. In 2014, Qatar issued a strict ban on e-cigarettes, citing the World Health Organization's perception that they are even more hazardous to health than traditional tobacco products.
According to a research report by ECigIntelligence, in January 2022, the United Arab Emirates and some Gulf Cooperation Council countries increased the tariffs on electronic cigarettes and e-liquids from 5% to 100%. Qatar has strict regulations on the importation of electronic cigarettes, and violators may face imprisonment and fines, while authorities seize the confiscated goods from suppliers. The courts are putting pressure on these illegal distributors to voluntarily surrender. The high taxes and regulatory measures by the court have made it almost impossible for electronic cigarettes to remain on the market.
However, the reality is that there are still people in Qatar who use electronic cigarettes. Mohammad, a 13-year-old who wished to remain anonymous, said that he occasionally uses e-cigarettes. He started because he saw his friends using them and they encouraged him to try it. The high prices of e-cigarettes provide an opportunity for illegal trade, as consumers turn to the black market to buy cheaper and unregulated e-cigarettes. Officially approved e-cigarettes, which have undergone testing and approval, are being abandoned by users due to high taxation. The average cost of e-cigarette kits in Qatar ranges from 500 to 1,000 Qatari riyals (approximately 1,840 yuan).
Furthermore, fans from various countries are heading to Qatar, and among them are some electronic cigarette users. Due to Qatar's ban, they have to resort to using alternatives to smoking products. The British vaping industry warns that this could result in successful quitters relapsing into smoking habits: "As the UK takes a progressive harm reduction approach to e-cigarettes and recognizes their vital role in achieving a smoke-free future, I cannot understand why any country would ban them. Deprived of e-cigarettes as a source of nicotine in Qatar, it is all too easy for people to turn back to traditional cigarettes. Once this happens, it can take months or even years for smokers to quit again.
The ban on electronic cigarettes in Qatar has disappointed many e-cigarette users who were planning to attend the World Cup, bringing attention to the issue. Where there is demand, there is a market, and the Central Asian market is thriving. However, it has also created a viable path for illegal trade, highlighting the potential benefits of legalizing e-cigarettes. Could legalization now be on the agenda?
In 2019, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates legalized electronic cigarettes, while Saudi Arabia adopted international e-cigarette standards in 2020. Egypt also plans to legalize e-cigarettes in 2022. Looking ahead, one might wonder if Qatar will follow suit by legalizing e-cigarettes and opening up its market. If so, similar to the excitement of the World Cup, Qatar's e-cigarette market is likely to flourish.
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