The UAE’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) is increasing the excise tax on e-cigarettes and the liquids used with them, as well as beverages sweetened with added sugar starting from 1 December. In August, the MoF announced that it will issue a decision on the implementation date of the excise tax, which is set to be before 1 Jan 2020. Currently, goods such as tobacco products, soft drinks and energy drinks have an excise tax. Saeed Rashid Al Yateem, Assistant Under Secretary of Resource and Budget Sector said, “the Ministry of Finance is keen to cooperate with all concerned entities to conduct in-depth studies on the direct and indirect negative effects of harmful consumption patterns.” “We would also like to undertake periodic studies on excise tax to ensure their optimal application. This in order to fulfil the government’s goals of well-being for all members of society, and to achieve the third Sustainable Development Goals to ensure healthy lives for all at all ages,” he added.