Starting August 1, UAE cigarettes will display red or green markings in order to prevent tax evasion and fraud.
According to Federal Tax Authority as reported in The National, displaying the new marking will help resolve fraud in the tobacco industry and would ensure good quality for the customers.
Red stickers on packets sold in the UAE from August 1 will show that the importer has paid that tax.
The green stickers will be placed on duty-free cigarettes.
Aside from consumer protection, the new markings will ensure that the Excise Tax due on the products has been settled.
Additional feature on the cigarette packets are QR codes and trackers that can be scanned to track packets electronically from the production facility until they reach the consumer.
During the UAE summit on illicit trade last year, it was mentioned that there are 77 tobacco-related operations in free trade zones in Dubai including 22 manufacturers of cheap whites.
Federal Tax Authority Director General Khalid Ali Al Bustani said the inclusion of new marking strengthens market controls to prevent the sale of products that have not met their tax obligations.
Photo from the national
