UAE
The Emirates Standardization and Metrology Authority (ESMA) has set mandatory standards for dokha tobacco products. This move aims to combat the random trade in dokha tobacco (a tobacco usually mixed with herbs and spices and used in medwakh) products in UAE, and reflects the government’s care for the health of consumers and regulating the quality of products in the market. Dokha is a tobacco product usually mixed with herbs and spices and used in medwakh.
Abdul Qader Al Maeni, director-general of ESMA, said that prior to the issuance of any new standards, the authority circulates a draft to relevant bodies in the country so that they can provide their proposals and notes regarding the standards.
The agency has also announced that it has begun enforcing these new standards on dokha tobacco stores to ensure that no harmful ingredients or chemicals were added to these tobacco products in cooperation with local and federal regulatory bodies.
The new mandatory standards for dokha complement previous ones issued for tobacco, flavored tobacco for shishas, cigarettes, and others. A regulatory department was formed to consider the compliance of dokha tobacco products with the new standards.