Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai (SHP)

Dubai, Aug 1: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) banned the sale and possession of cigarettes which do not have digital tax stamps across UAE. Two types of stamps announced were, Red Stamp placed on the packaging of tobacco products (including cigarettes) sold at all local markets, as well as at duty-free in arrival lounges and the second one, the Green Stamp for tobacco products sold at duty-free in departure lounges.

The prohibitions are set so as to be in line with 'Marking Tobacco and Tobacco Products Scheme', which went into effect at the beginning of 2019. The scheme seeks to protect consumers from low-quality products, combat tax evasion and ensure that the excise tax due on these products has been settled.

The FTA directed the consumers to inform authorities in the event vendors sell them cigarettes without the digital stamp.

"The authority has sought to implement an integrated and widespread awareness campaign starting from the second quarter of 2018 - Several months before the 'Marking Tobacco and Tobacco Products Scheme' went into effect - To allow sufficient time for local markets to prepare for the scheme and to avoid any adverse effects to their commercial activities,” FTA director general Khalid Ali Al Bustani asserted.