Abdulla Belhoul: 4,872 non-compliant products across 54 brands were seized during the campaign

Abdulla Belhoul: Consumer protection is a key pillar of Trakhees’ strategy

The Department of Planning and Development - Trakhees, part of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), represented by the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHSS) Department, conducted a joint inspection campaign with Dubai Municipality targeting e-cigarette stores and related accessories in Dragon Mart. The campaign forms part of Trakhees’ ongoing efforts to enhance consumer product safety and ensure compliance with approved regulatory requirements and legislation.

Eng. Abdulla Mohammed Belhoul, CEO of the Department of Planning and Development - Trakhees, stated that the campaign covered 40 commercial establishments specializing in the sale of e-cigarettes and related products. A total of 40 inspection visits were conducted during the campaign in May 2026. The campaign resulted in issuing violations against 23 establishments following the seizure of 4,872 non-compliant products across 54 brands due to nicotine concentrations exceeding the maximum permitted limit of 3%.

The campaign aimed to provide consumers with a safe purchasing environment, ensure they have access to accurate information regarding products offered for sale, and verify that only registered and approved products are traded and sold in the market. It also sought to raise awareness among business owners and operators regarding their obligations toward consumer rights and regulatory compliance requirements.

Belhoul explained that the campaign focused on verifying establishments’ compliance with approved regulatory requirements, including operating under a valid trade license, maintaining appropriate operational spaces, complying with product labelling requirements, obtaining the necessary permits for the sale of tobacco products, and ensuring products are registered with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). The inspections also verified that products exceeding the permitted nicotine threshold were not being marketed or sold, while ensuring compliance with regulations related to smoking restrictions and the prohibition of sales to individuals under the age of 18.

The CEO of Trakhees stated that such inspection campaigns reflect the department’s firm commitment to strengthening the consumer product control framework and ensuring compliance with the highest approved standards of safety and quality. These efforts contribute to enhancing consumer protection and reinforcing confidence in local markets. He noted that consumer protection remains a key pillar of Trakhees’ strategy, emphasizing that proactive inspection campaigns play an important role in identifying violations, reducing non-compliant practices, and increasing compliance levels among commercial establishments with applicable laws and regulations, thereby supporting a safe, fair, and sustainable business environment aligned with international best practices.

Belhoul further stated that the campaign identified a number of violations related to the display and sale of products containing nicotine levels exceeding the permitted limits. He confirmed that the necessary legal measures were taken against the violating establishments in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, ensuring the protection of public health and safety.

Trakhees continues to implement inspection and awareness campaigns in cooperation with relevant government entities to enhance the safety of products available in the market, promote a culture of compliance, and safeguard the health and well-being of community members.