No cigarette vending machines

Dubai: The British American Tobacco (BAT) denies any future plans to sell its cigarettes via vending machines in the country.

A recent article in the media said the tobacco companies are lobbying for a licence to sell cigarettes via vending machines in commercial and shopping malls.

"We do not currently own any vending machines in the UAE and have no plans to sell our cigarettes via vending machines in the future," said the company's spokesperson Dr Ralf Leinweber.

BAT, an international tobacco company, reinforces its position of marketing its cigarettes in a responsible way by focusing on adult smokers only (18 years and above as defined by UAE law). The company also advocates age verification for cigarette buyers at any point of sale for tobacco products.