The cost of cigarettes and energy drinks will double as of October 1, the country's tax authority has said.
The move was confirmed just a day after the President, Sheikh Khalifa, issued the new Excise Tax.
It was initially stated that the tax would come in some time in the final three months of the year, but on Tuesday Younis Haji Al Khouri, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, confirmed it would take effect at the earliest possible date.
In addition to customers buying goods within the emirates, passengers buying cigarettes in duty free as they arrive in the country will also have to pay double the current price.
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Speaking to state news agency WAM, Mr Al Khoory confirmed that anyone entering the country with cigarettes - or buying in duty free - would be taxed at the new rate.
Outbound passengers leaving the country or passing through would not be taxed, he said.
Mr Al Khoory stressed that there are no current plans to bring other products under the new tax rate at present.
According to preliminary estimates, revenues from excise taxes generate about Dh7 billion per year for the federal budget.
Yesterday, retailers were coming to terms with the new rules, which they'll have just five weeks to comply with.
Many also said they believe smokers will turn to cheaper brands, given there is no minimum pricing.
“If someone wants to smoke, then it doesn’t matter if they increase the tax to 300 per cent – people will still buy cigarettes,” said Dhiraj Barwani, store manager at the West Zone supermarket in Dubai's Barsha Heights.
“About 60 per cent of our cigarettes are Marlboro, as our customers prefer the higher quality.
“If customers don’t want to pay the new prices, they will go for cheaper brands, but they will still smoke.”
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HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
RESULT
Los Angeles Galaxy 2 Manchester United 5
Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
United: Rashford (2', 20'), Fellaini (26'), Mkhitaryan (67'), Martial (72')
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
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1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
