Vaping In Bahrain: Is It Legal?

Vaping laws vary from country to country, and it is important to be aware of the regulations in each jurisdiction. In Bahrain, the import restrictions on e-cigarettes were lifted in 2016, and while vaping is legal, it is controlled as a tobacco product. This means that the use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in enclosed public places and on public transportation. Additionally, advertising of e-cigarettes is banned at the place of sale and in all media.

Vaping devices are legal to buy online and in-country for personal use

In 2016, restrictions on the import of e-cigarettes into Bahrain were lifted. This meant that individuals could legally purchase vaping devices and liquids for their personal use, either online or within the country. This change in regulation also meant that producers and importers of nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-cigarettes were required to affix a digital tax stamp on their products. This is known as the Digital Stamps Scheme, and it applies to all e-cigarettes imported into the country.

While vaping devices are legal for personal use, it's important to be aware of the restrictions on their use in public places. Bahrain's tobacco control law prohibits the advertisement, promotion, sponsorship, and use of tobacco products in enclosed public places and on public transportation. This includes e-cigarettes, which are regulated as tobacco products. Therefore, while you can purchase and use vaping devices in Bahrain, there are designated areas where their use is prohibited.

Additionally, when travelling to Bahrain, it's important to be mindful of the ingredients in your e-cigarette refills. Some substances, such as CBD oil, may be illegal in Bahrain. Therefore, it is recommended to check the ingredients of your vaping liquids to ensure they comply with the country's regulations.

Overall, while vaping devices are legal to buy online and in-country for personal use in Bahrain, it is important to stay informed about the latest regulations, respect the restrictions on their use in public places, and ensure that your vaping liquids do not contain any prohibited substances.

E-cigarettes are controlled as tobacco products

E-cigarettes are legal in Bahrain, but they are controlled as tobacco products. In 2016, restrictions on the import of e-cigarettes were lifted, and there is no longer a ban on bringing personal devices into the country. However, e-cigarettes are subject to the same laws as tobacco products in Bahrain. This means that the advertisement, promotion, sponsorship, and use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public places and on public transportation are prohibited.

The Digital Stamps Scheme will be adopted for e-cigarettes, which means that producers and importers of nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-cigarettes must affix a digital tax stamp to their products. The exact date of adoption is not yet known.

In addition to the restrictions on advertising and use in public places, changes are expected in other areas of e-cigarette regulation in Bahrain. These include health warnings, packaging, device and battery requirements, and permitted flavours. These changes aim to regulate the growing e-cigarette market in Bahrain and ensure that e-cigarettes are subject to the same controls as tobacco products.

It is important to note that the regulatory status of e-cigarettes in Bahrain can change rapidly and with little notice. Therefore, those wishing to use or possess e-cigarettes in Bahrain should verify the information and stay up to date with any changes to the law.

Import restrictions on e-cigarettes were lifted in 2016

In 2013, Bahrain implemented a ban on the importation, distribution, and selling of e-cigarettes. However, in 2016, the restrictions on importing e-cigarettes were lifted. This means that individuals in Bahrain can legally purchase e-cigarettes online and in-country for personal use, although they are still controlled as tobacco products.

The lifting of the import restrictions in 2016 was a significant development for the e-cigarette market in Bahrain. It allowed for the legal entry of e-cigarette products into the country, providing consumers with access to a wider range of options. This change also opened up opportunities for businesses and importers to cater to the demand for e-cigarettes in the country.

Following the lifting of import restrictions, Bahrain has continued to regulate e-cigarettes through various measures. One such measure is the planned implementation of the Digital Stamps Scheme. This scheme will require producers and importers of nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-cigarettes to affix a digital tax stamp on their products. While the exact date of adoption is not yet known, this scheme will standardise the taxation of e-cigarettes and ensure compliance with Bahrain's tax regulations.

In addition to taxation, Bahrain is expected to introduce or update regulations related to health warnings, packaging, device and battery requirements, and permitted flavours. These changes aim to provide clear guidelines for the safe use and distribution of e-cigarettes within the country.

It is important to note that while e-cigarettes are legal in Bahrain, the country has a tobacco control law that prohibits the advertisement, promotion, sponsorship, and use of tobacco products in enclosed public places and on public transportation. This law ensures that while e-cigarettes are accessible, efforts are made to minimise their impact on non-users and to regulate their promotion and use.

The Digital Stamps Scheme will be adopted for e-cigarettes

In Bahrain, e-cigarettes (both devices and liquids) are legal to buy online and in-country for personal use. However, they are still controlled as tobacco products. This means that the same rules that apply to cigarettes also apply to e-cigarettes.

In Bahrain, the Digital Stamps Scheme will be adopted for e-cigarettes. This scheme requires producers and importers of nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-cigarettes to affix a digital tax stamp to their products. The exact date of adoption is not yet known, but it is likely to be soon as the National Bureau of Revenue (NBR) has announced that they are in the final phase of implementing the scheme. The scheme is already being enforced for other tobacco products, with electrically heated tobacco coils (EHTP), crack, chopped, or pressed tobacco for pipes, dokha (dizziness tobacco), and cigarettes all mandated to bear digital stamps since 24 December 2023.

The Digital Stamps Scheme is designed to regulate goods by embedding security features and codes on specific items, allowing them to be tracked from manufacturing to consumption. This system helps to combat illicit trade and protect against unlicensed and counterfeit products. It also ensures the effective collection of revenue. The scheme will require importers and traders to avoid storing large quantities of e-cigarettes without digital stamps, and any product in the supply chain that does not have the digital stamp must be returned to be destroyed or moved outside of Bahrain to avoid penalties.

The adoption of the Digital Stamps Scheme for e-cigarettes is part of a broader set of changes expected for e-cigarette regulation in Bahrain, including updates to health warnings, packaging, device and battery requirements, and permitted flavours.

There is reportedly a significant uptake of e-cigarettes in the Middle East

There is a reportedly significant uptake of e-cigarettes in the Middle East, with a notable prevalence among youth and young adults. This trend is reflected in the global rise in e-cigarette use, with an estimated 58.1 million users in 2018, increasing to 68 million in 2020.

In the Middle East, studies indicate that e-cigarette use is particularly high among university students. For instance, a study of students from three universities in the United Arab Emirates found that 23% reported current e-cigarette use. Similarly, a study of health science students in Saudi Arabia showed that 27.7% were current users, while a survey of Qatar University students found that 14% used e-cigarettes.

However, national-level data on e-cigarette use in the Middle East is limited. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) provides some estimates, but it has not been consistently published across the region. For example, Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon's latest surveys in 2020 did not include data on e-cigarettes.

The available data suggest that e-cigarette use in the Middle East is influenced by various social, demographic, and perceptual factors. For instance, a study of female residents in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, found that 17.5% of participants used e-cigarettes, with the highest prevalence among those aged 21 to 30. Unemployment, perceived poor health, and having friends or family members who use e-cigarettes were also associated with e-cigarette use.

Furthermore, studies have explored the beliefs and perceptions about e-cigarettes in the Middle East. The idea that e-cigarettes are a smoking cessation tool varied from 20.2% to 69.1% in different studies, while the belief that they are a reason for smoking initiation ranged from 34.8% to 37.1%. There is also a mixed perception of the addictive nature of e-cigarettes, with beliefs ranging from 33.5% to 41.8%.

Addressing the knowledge gaps and understanding the factors influencing e-cigarette use in the Middle East is crucial for developing effective strategies and interventions to address this growing public health concern.

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