In 2026, the Middle East e-cigarette market is undergoing a major regulatory transformation. The UAE Ministry of Finance announced that effective September 1, a new minimum excise tax on e-liquids will apply, set at AED 1 per milliliter. This policy marks the region's accelerating shift from a grey area to regulated oversight.

For global e-cigarette companies, this transition presents both challenges and opportunities. Demand is real and urgent for products that comply with TPD, feature nicotine salt technology, and are tailored to local flavor preferences—and the Chinese supply chain is becoming a core enabler of regional compliance. In this shift, companies with full-supply-chain compliance capabilities will gain a significant advantage. Eight Boton subsidiaries have obtained tobacco monopoly production enterprise licenses, covering e-liquid production, contract manufacturing, and brand operations. This makes Boton one of the few companies in China with full-supply-chain licensing—an advantage that allows it to provide Middle East customers with end-to-end services from product development to compliant production.

As the Middle East's most influential industry event, World Vape Show Dubai attracts exhibitors and buyers from over 100 countries each year. The 2026 edition will place special focus on compliance, featuring a dedicated Compliance Clinic with resources provided by Inter Scientific to offer international brands expert advice on regional regulatory challenges. Boton will fully leverage this platform to share its compliance operating experience with partners across the Middle East.