The United Arab Emirates has begun collecting new “sin” taxes on tobacco products, energy drinks and soft drinks.
Beginning Sunday, tobacco and energy drinks will be taxed at 100 per cent and soft drinks at 50pc. Shoppers could be seen stocking up the day before.
The new tax push comes as the UAE and other oil-rich Gulf nations have struggled with low global energy prices. The UAE will start collecting a 5pc value-added tax on certain goods in January.
All six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have agreed to begin collecting so-called VAT taxes, though others may begin later than January. The GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (11) Closed
Rationalbabu
Oct 01, 2017 04:24pm
Soft drinks are sin? What about illicit drinks and gambling the rich Arabs enjoy in gated parties in UAE and most other Gulf countries?
Recommend
0
Shy Guy
Oct 01, 2017 04:51pm
World will shift to cleaner energy.
Recommend
0
Ahmed bin Babar
Oct 01, 2017 05:42pm
IQ is the best tool to look into the future for our ultimate survival...
Recommend
0
Ramay
Oct 01, 2017 07:06pm
Pakistan FBR shld also impose 100% tax on cigarettes, energy drinks, liquor, cosmatics & luxury cars rather killing the layman by sucking their bonemarrow thru tax on power & petroleum products.As you the Govt. Has already suffocated them by anemia ie sucked all blood, the scavengers.
Recommend
0
Mohajir
Oct 01, 2017 07:06pm
With next 3 decades, entire world would move to electric vehicles leaving these Sheikhs without any oil income
Recommend
0
Sixer From Chakwal
Oct 01, 2017 07:10pm
Dear friends in Gulf, now you will pay 20 DHS for Marlboro pack instead of 10 DHS. Good move.
Recommend
0
Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Oct 01, 2017 07:50pm
Welcome to the real world of capitalism, market-economy, revenue generation and profitability.
Recommend
0
Chaos
Oct 01, 2017 08:24pm
Good move, but to call it a "sin tax" seriously. It just legitimizes sin.
Recommend
0
Khan USA
Oct 01, 2017 09:58pm
No tax on alcoholic beverages!
Recommend
0
Zulfikar
Oct 01, 2017 11:25pm
So, practically, pay for the sin and enjoy.....
Recommend
0
jaredlee67
Oct 02, 2017 06:24am
Increasing tax makes sense, but calling it sin tax does not. I'd rather call it 'Health Tax' than 'Sin Tax'.
Recommend
0