UAE approves tobacco-free nicotine pouches to help smokers quit cigarettes
A UAE Cabinet resolution outlines the technical standards for this smoking alternative, designed to help people quit cigarettes.
Dr Sanam Mallick, Consultant in Family Medicine at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi, described the pouches as small, smokeless products that contain nicotine but no tobacco.
'People place them between their gum and lips to absorb nicotine without smoking or chewing tobacco. They're popular as a discreet alternative to cigarettes or chewing tobacco. Nicotine pouches contain nicotine, the same chemical that we find in tobacco,' he told Khaleej Times.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Nicotine is an addictive substance. These pouches release dopamine, the 'feel-good hormone', which helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, thereby aiding smoking cessation.
'Nicotine pouches can be a valuable tool for some people trying to quit smoking, but whether they're a good option compared to other smoking cessation methods depends on a few factors,' Dr Mallick explained.
One benefit is the absence of smoke inhalation, which significantly lowers the risk of lung damage compared to traditional smoking. However, like all nicotine products, the pouches can be addictive.
'They still contain nicotine, so they don't remove the addiction, just the smoking behaviour. (Additionally), because they're relatively new, the long-term health impacts are still being studied,' he added.
On their effectiveness, Dr Mallick noted that while some smokers report success in using pouches to gradually reduce or replace cigarettes, others struggle with the continued oral habit. 'Others may find the oral fixation or habit harder to break, since pouches still involve placing something in the mouth (similar to chewing tobacco).'
Traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) such as patches, gum, and lozenges are known to increase quit rates by 50 to 70 per cent. 'Nicotine pouches might offer similar benefits, but without long-term studies, their effectiveness compared to these therapies is less certain.'
Patches vs pouches
Shiraz Khan, Chief Operating Officer at Aster Retail GCC, explained that nicotine from pouches is absorbed through the lining of the mouth.
'In contrast, nicotine patches are transdermal products applied to the skin. They slowly release nicotine into the bloodstream over a period of time, helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings,' he said. 'The key difference lies in the method of delivery. Pouches work via oral mucosal absorption, while patches deliver nicotine through the skin.'
NRTs such as patches, gum, and lozenges are already available in UAE pharmacies. 'These products are typically available over the counter (OTC) and do not require a prescription. However, some higher-dose patches or combination therapies might be recommended under a healthcare provider's supervision,' Khan said.
He added that NRTs are a popular choice among smokers looking to quit. 'Products like nicotine gums and lozenges have seen rapid growth due to their discreet use, lack of smoke, and perceived lower harm compared to traditional tobacco products.'
All nicotine products in the UAE must carry health warnings and age restriction labels, with sales prohibited to those under 18.
'Packaging and labelling must comply with UAE-specific guidelines, including Arabic labelling. Only licensed retailers or pharmacies may sell these products,' Khan added.
Tobacco's toll
Globally, tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of disease and premature death, according to a guide released last year by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap). The global tobacco epidemic claims nearly eight million lives annually, making it one of the most serious public health threats.
The National Health Survey of 2018 found that nearly 16 per cent of men and 2.5 per cent of women in the UAE are smokers, the guide said.
To support tobacco cessation efforts, authorities said that counselling and psychological support will be offered to individuals attempting to quit all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
31 minutes ago
- The National
UAE patients tell of miracles and mettle as they compete in World Transplant Games
A close-knit group of transplant patients are delivering a message of grit and resolve through sport as they compete in the UAE's first-ever World Transplant Games in Germany. Fuelled by the mantra that they are strong, not fragile, the team of six are among 2,500 participants, including organ donors and donor families, at the week-long games in Dresden. The Games are taking place this week with athletes from more than 50 countries competing in a wide range of events. The UAE's team of five lung, kidney and liver transplant recipients from Sudan, the US, India, Bangladesh and South Africa plus one Emirati donor have shared how they are thriving after life-altering surgeries and are living proof that 'miracles do happen'. For Omar Tom, it has been about beating the odds from the age of three when he was diagnosed with not one but two rare kidney conditions, making visits to the doctor a constant feature. 'At 36, I'm the strongest and healthiest that I've ever been. I've been in sport my whole life,' he told The National as he spoke about his excitement at competing in the 100m and 200m races this week. 'I did not think I would be alive at 36, let alone be stronger, so this is something I'm very grateful for. It's is a gift of life, it's about showing gratitude to your donor, coaches, friends and to God. 'We are really grateful for the organ, grateful for the light we've been given because we are all dealt different cards in life. And whatever that card is, it's your choice to play the best game you can play.' Strong, not fragile Mr Tom, a natural athlete who enjoys basketball, football, cricket, swimming and more, has pulled through two kidney transplants. His father was his first donor in 2010 but after his body rejected the organ, his younger brother was the second donor in 2016. The Sudanese national has always pushed back if treated differently like when his anxious family asked younger siblings to carry heavy shopping bags instead of him. 'There was an approach of fragility that my family has had, like I could break at any moment,' he said. 'So there was this frustration, annoyance that created an obsession of making sure that I'm not only strong to myself, but to everybody around me.' He has lived in the UAE all his life and runs a market research and technology company. 'Discipline is really the best muscle to have,' he said. 'If you pick sport, it creates a discipline in your life. There is also a mental element, the discipline of practice to become 1 per cent better every day.' Since the 2017 launch of Hayat (life), the National Programme for Organ Donation and Transplantation, more than 1,100 organ transplants have been completed across the Emirates. The UAE has made significant strides since the government passed a law in 2016 allowing organ transplants from the living and the dead and encouraging the community to sign up to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from organ failure. Building a community The UAE's participation in the World Transplant Games came through the persistence of Katie Larkins, 36, a liver transplant recipient who submitted the approvals and paperwork for the country to participate in its maiden games. A science teacher in an Abu Dhabi school, the Californian native has launched an online support group for the transplant community. 'Being a transplant recipient is a very isolating experience, it's a very rare experience. The community aspect of being able to talk to each other is important,' said Ms Larkins who received the transplant from a Kuwaiti donor four years ago. 'You need someone who understands your experience, makes you feel more included and helps you get back into society.' Sharing the transplant experience also deepens the understanding of what patients and families undergo. Ms Larkins was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune liver disease in 2021 after months of extreme fatigue and exhaustion. It was only after alarming blood results, turning so jaundiced that her skin took on a yellow hue, severe water retention and swelling in the abdomen and legs that doctors realised she was far more ill than she looked. 'By the time I had my transplant, my liver was completely done, my kidneys were starting to fail, I was beginning to show signs of heart failure because the liver regulates what everything else is doing,' she said. Ms Larkins stopped teaching for several months out of concern that her immunity would be compromised in school. 'I spent months pretending that everything was fine. I had a pretty unhealthy dose of denial. I didn't really accept that I was well and truly sick until they told me that I couldn't leave the hospital,' she said. The World Games, running from August 17 to 24, offer hope to patients on transplant waiting lists around the world. Ms Larkins initially planned to manage the UAE team but was swept up in the excitement of competing in the 5k and 3k to spread the word that others too can be strong. 'After a situation that's so life threatening and so scary, it's unnerving for some people to start exercising again, because you're so scared of doing anything to harm your body,' she said. 'It took me a while get back into exercise but I'm really glad I did. It's something that all transplant patients should try to set their sights on – that goal to be physically healthy and fit – because by keeping ourselves healthy, we can keep our donated organs healthy for much longer. 'Our team this year is small but it's our first time and I expect that in 2027 when we do this again, the team will be much larger because a lot more people will know about it.' From oxygen tanks to throwing the javelin In social media posts, the athletes share their exuberance over breathing freely after a transplant and explain why they have taken up competitive sport. Emirati Hind Al Maazmi donated a kidney to her mother and competes in the 5km, 3km and 100m 'to show what love can drive you to'. Double lung recipient Husena Beguwala, from India, said she fought setbacks for years and is running the 5km and 3km for her son, for awareness and for 'everyone still waiting to rewrite their story'. South African Justin Anthony, also a double lung recipient, looks forward to the field competitions. 'From living on oxygen 24/7 to throwing the javelin in Germany, I'm breathing freely today thanks to my donor,' he said. 'I compete to honour a miracle and prove that, when hope seems lost, miracles can still break through.' Fatima Rashid, a kidney recipient from Bangladesh, has a packed schedule with the 100m, 200m, 5k and javelin. She took on scuba diving, weightlifting and skiing post-transplant and competes because 'movement is my freedom', she said. 'Now I compete to prove that strength isn't just physical – it's mental, spiritual, and fuelled by purpose.'
UAE Moments
12 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Motaz Azaiza Reunites with Nada Jwaifel, Whose Life He Saved with a Photograph
Nearly two years after capturing a life-changing image in Gaza, Palestinian photojournalist Motaz Azaiza was reunited with 19-year-old Nada Jwaifel in Washington, D.C., during an event hosted by the Palestine Children's Relief Fund. The photograph, taken amid the rubble of her family's home, proved instrumental in alerting rescue teams to her presence, and ultimately saved her life and her legs. In October 2023, Jwaifel lay trapped under debris in the Al Nusairat refugee camp after an Israeli airstrike destroyed her home. Severely injured with shattered legs and a broken shoulder, she held her younger sister in her arms as she lay buried for hours. During the rescue efforts, Azaiza spotted her through a hole in the wall but, due to darkness, could not confirm her survival with his eyes alone. Instead, he used his camera's low-shutter-speed setting to record the image that convinced rescuers she was still alive. That photograph earned widespread recognition, being featured by Time among the top ten photos of 2023, and became the catalyst for extraordinary medical intervention. Dr. Sami Tuffaha, a peripheral nerve specialist at Johns Hopkins, discovered the image via social media and, in partnership with the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, coordinated care across four countries involving a remarkable 75 surgeries. Thanks to those efforts, Jwaifel regained the ability to walk. During the reunion in Washington, Jwaifel took the stage to share her story, reflecting on life before the war and the devastating loss of her family, including her seven siblings and grandmother. Despite her profound losses, she delivered a message of resilience, 'Israel might have taken everything precious to me – my family, my home, my peace – but it will never break my spirit, as long as I can breathe.' For Azaiza, the reunion stirred memories of trauma and haunting guilt. He reflected on his role in that moment of chaos, admitting that while capturing the image brought unimaginable consequences, it saved a life.
The National
14 hours ago
- The National
Number of aid workers killed reaches all-time high, says UN, with nearly half of them in Gaza and West Bank
Killings of aid workers rose nearly a third to almost 400 last year, the deadliest year since records began in 1997, with the war in Gaza continuing to drive high death rates, UN data showed on Tuesday. Last year, 383 aid workers were killed, nearly half of them in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to the UN's Aid Worker Security Database, a US-funded platform that tracks major security incidents affecting humanitarian staff. Of those killed in the Palestinian territories, 173 were killed in Gaza amid Israeli army operations, the data showed. 'This is more than a statistical spike. It is a stain – the normalisation of violence against this community. Each attack on a colleague is an attack on all of us, and we do not accept it,' said Tom Fletcher, UN under secretary general for humanitarian affairs. 'As a humanitarian movement, we demand the protection of civilians and aid workers and we demand that perpetrators are held to account. Humanitarians will not retreat, despite these dangers.' The first eight months of this year showed no sign of a reversal of the disturbing trend: 265 aid workers have been killed as of mid-August, according to the Database. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres noted that humanitarian workers are the lifeline for more than 300 million people caught in conflict or disaster. But he said that funding is drying up and those who provide humanitarian aid are increasingly under attack. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement said 18 of its staff and volunteers have been killed so far this year 'while carrying out their life-saving work'. ' The rules of war are clear: humanitarian personnel must be respected and protected. Every attack is a grave betrayal of humanity, and the rules designed to protect them and the communities they serve. Each killing sends a dangerous message that their lives were expendable. They were not,' said Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Meanwhile the UN's World Health Organisation said 1,121 health workers and patients have been killed and hundreds injured in attacks across 16 territories, with the most deaths were in Sudan. 'Each attack inflicts lasting harm, deprives entire communities of life-saving care when they need it the most, endangers health care providers, and weakens already strained health systems,' the WHO said. World Humanitarian Day marks the day in 2003 when UN rights chief Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 other humanitarians were killed in the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad.
