The experts have forwarded a possibility for the impact of the smoking ban (implemented this week) to be muted as the legislation was not accompanied by an increase in cigarette prices.

Even when the price of some cigarette packs already reflects a tax of between 30 and 45 per cent, this still below average for the GCC. Tobacco Atalas (TA), a collaborative research effort by the American Cancer Society and the World Lung Foundation, provides the tax data.

A strong correlation between cigarette prices and smoking prevalence, particularly among young smokers was found in studies released in 2007 by the US-based Centres for Disease Control. These findings suggest that every 10 per cent hike in the price of cigarettes corresponds with a seven per cent decline in youth smoking rates.

This measure has been successfully adopted in tobacco tax policies in the EU and North America to discourage smoking over the past decade. Here a pack of cigarettes can cost Dh40 (US$11), more than the price of a fast food meal.

However in the UAE, the TA data has specified a decline over the past decade in the real price of cigarettes.

A report published by World Health Organization in 2009, explains a sweeping ban on smoking in public places as one in six steps to a comprehensive, country-wide anti-smoking policy.

The report said that it is important to raise the price of tobacco products and reaching the young before they pick up a smoking habit.

The WHO says, "The UAE has some of the cheapest cigarettes in the region available for Dh2 per pack even cheaper than cigarettes in impoverished places such as Sudan and the Gaza Strip. The average cost of a pack in the UAE is about Dh7."

As per some experts, there should a triple increase in the price of tobacco in the UAE. This may discourage some smokers, even when for many young Emiratis price is not a factor.

Dr Nabil Debouni, a consultant surgeon and medical director at Lifeline Hospital said, "People who have access to money will buy it regardless of the price. Mainly, the people I'm most concerned about are local young Emiratis."