Short Summary of the Article
The article that was chosen for the discussion is “Tobacco Industry Facing ‘Difficult’ Times as Cigarette Use Slumps in UAE”. It was written by Nick Webster for The National newspaper. The author states that there is a significant drop in cigarette sales as people tend to shift to vaping (Webster par. 1). Currently, cigarette sales account only for less than 90% of the tobacco industry, and the percentage of smokers has decreased by approximately 2% (Webster par. 4).
The reason for that is the growing popularity of shisha which is becoming a more often preferred alternative to traditional cigarettes. In comparison with cigarettes, this product has a number of different flavors and is less criticized by society. It can be expected that the popularity of vaping products will even grow in the long run, which may be partly explained by new governmental regulations allowing the sale of vaping products.
Analysis of the Content
It can be noted that the author presents the information in a clear and comprehensible manner and does not appeal to the emotions or values of readers. No bias in the content of the article can be observed, and readers are left to analyze the information on their own being guided solely by facts and numbers. On the one hand, a drop in cigarette sales may be explained by manufacturers being allowed to sell vaping devices and e-cigarettes.
On the other hand, the cigarette industry faces a fall in sales due to tough regulations and high taxes. It can be said that electronic cigarettes will be treated the same way as traditional cigarettes since they cause harm to health. Even though it is not clear what the cigarette industry will do for profit maximization, one could note that tobacco companies may recognize other options for enrichment. In particular, alternatives to cigarettes that may be considered for selling are cannabis, pharmaceuticals, and vitamins.
The Choice of the Article
The article was chosen for the discussion because of its relevance and interesting content. Taking into account the proliferation of vaping products and the fact they have been prohibited in the UAE for quite a long time, changes in cigarette sales are a subject of economic concern. One could argue that it is not clear how tobacco manufacturers will deal with the drop in sales and how this drop will influence the market. The tobacco industry can invest in electronic cigarettes and vaping devices, though it can continue to rely on revenues from traditional tobacco products in order to support cash flow. Tracking which strategies tobacco manufacturers will choose to pursue will help thoroughly understand the impact of vaping products on the market in the UAE.
The Importance of the Article for Readers
It has to be stated that the article may appear to be interesting for all readers of The National newspaper as the subject of traditional cigarettes versus electronic cigarettes is relevant. Cigarette smokers and consumers of vaping products may be especially curious to learn how their buying decisions influence the market. Perhaps it would be new information for readers that since April, manufacturers will be allowed to sell vaping products with batteries (Webster par. 13).
This means that consumers may be safe buying shisha, electronic pipes, and electronic cigarettes since manufacturers are now required to meet new standards and get certified. It would also be important to know that health officials emphasize that electronic cigarettes pose certain harm to health and are not considered to be devices that may help quit smoking (Webster par. 17). In summary, the article discusses the reduction of cigarette use in the UAE and may be of interest to a wide range of readers.
Work Cited
Webster, Nick. “Tobacco Industry Facing ‘Difficult’ Times as Cigarette Use Slumps in UAE.” The National. 2019. Web.