Tourists visiting Dubai can bring the following goods free of duty into the city:

• Gifts with a value of no more than AED 3,000

• 400 cigarettes OR 500 grams of tobacco OR 50 cigars

• And up to 4 litres of alcohol OR 48 cans of beer (each not exceeding 355 ml)

So yes, tourists can buy and bring alcohol into Dubai.

Technically, no – if you don’t have an alcohol license in Dubai you shouldn’t drink. However, the city is continually enhancing its tourism industry, and so those visiting should have no issue purchasing a drink while staying here.

Tourists will find that most restaurants, bars and hotels serve alcohol to those above the UAE’s legal drinking age of 21.

If you’re a resident living in Dubai – that’s a different story, as you should purchase and register for an alcohol license. Provided you’re a non-Muslim.

Dubai is one of the few tourist destinations left that still allows smoking indoors – which is great news if you smoke, but horrible news if you can’t stand it.

But don’t be alarmed – all restaurants that do allow indoor smoking separate the smokers from the non-smokers in different seating areas.

And if you’re a fan of shisha – you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find lots of local cafes or Arabic restaurants that serve it. If it’s your first time visiting, and you’re not against giving it a go – you can try it as part of your ‘authentic Middle Eastern’ experience here.

Those who do smoke will also be pleased to learn that Dubai’s tobacco prices are still extremely cheap in comparison to other Western countries. For example, a pack of Marlboro Gold costs AED 20 for 20 cigarettes.