DUBAI, United Arab Emirate, Aug 21 (NNN-WAM) – The UAE, on Tuesday, decided to expand the list of excise taxable products, to include sweetened beverages, sugary drinks and electronic smoking devices, as of Jan 1, 2020.
The step aims at reducing consumption of unhealthy goods, and modifying consumers’ behaviours and supporting the UAE government’s efforts, to prevent chronic diseases, directly linked to sugar and tobacco consumption, according to a statement.
“A tax of 50 percent will be levied on any product with added sugar or other sweeteners, whether in a beverage, liquid, concentrate, powders, extracts or any product that may be converted into a drink,” read the statement.
It added that, a tax of 100 percent will also be levied on electronic smoking devices, whether or not they contain nicotine or tobacco, as well as, the liquids used in electronic smoking devices.– NNN-WAM
