Dubai: Qadi Saaed Al Murooshid, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has denied media reports that Dubai will impose a 200 per cent tax on tobacco in August.
He said the World Heart Federation had suggested that hiking tax on cigarettes by 200 per cent would help combat smoking and the revenue would help treat cardiovascular diseases across the world. Smoking is the major risk factor for heart disease and millions die due to tobacco smoke or suffer heart attacks.
Al Murooshid said the tax suggestion was made by Professor Sydney Smith, director of the Federation during the World Congress of Cardiology which Dubai is now hosting.
The director general said applying the tax depends on each country. He said the news of a price increase was false.
