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Physicians said that e-cigarettes would not be offered to help smokers quit before the health impact is determined.
This week, the government regulator said that e-cigarettes and vaping products could be legally sold from mid-April.
The regulation will ensure the transparency of consumers on the vaping products they buy and help the authorities to eliminate the black market and unregulated sellers.
But government doctors said the country would not go as far as some countries in promoting these devices among problem smokers.
Dr. Mohammad El Disouky, head of the Dubai Health Authority's smoking cessation clinic, said there was a need for further long-term research.
"Consumers will now have all the details about the chemicals in the products and how to use them," he said.
Most electronic cigarettes and vaping devices contain a battery, a heating coil and a liquid containing flavors and nicotine. Ramon Penas / The National
"From a public health point of view, it's a good thing, because the users of these products will know that they have been legally distributed under the supervision of the authorities."
"This will guarantee their content and limit the material used by some companies.
"But legalizing and regulating e-cigarettes does not mean that they can be offered as a smoking cessation aid for tobacco smokers."
Governments have very different attitudes towards e-cigarettes.
In the UK, Public Health England recently stated that it supports their use to help smokers quit smoking, citing evidence that they are 95% less harmful than tobacco products.
But in Hong Kong, the government has announced its intention to ban all products of the electronic cigarette completely. Whoever imports, sells or promotes products will be liable to six months imprisonment or HK $ 50,000 (23,393 Dh).
Other countries, such as the United States, also do not know how safe e-cigarettes are and what the long-term health consequences are.
"In some countries, the debate will continue to determine whether they are less harmful or they should serve as bridges to quitting tobacco products," said Dr. El Dysouky.
"We know that e-cigarettes and their chemicals carry hidden dangers.
"Once the WHO publishes its recommendation and this will be supported by the FDA, we will follow.
"Until then, we can not support the electronic cigarette as a help to stop smoking."
UAE parents have expressed concern about the way electronic cigarettes will be sold and their accessibility for children.
A Dubai mother, Bhavana Sood, whose children are 16 and 13 years old, said she was worried that children would be attracted to the proposed flavors, such as fruits and sweets.
"There is peer pressure among young adults and it becomes a problem," she said.
"I think vapes or e-cigarettes should only be available to people aged 22 or 23 years old."
Even before lifting the ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes, Juul vaping appliances were available online in the UAE.
This product is one of the most popular vaping devices used by young Americans, with only one Juul capsule containing as much nicotine as 20 cigarettes.
Sara, a Lebanese mother who did not want to give her full name, said she was shocked when her 12-year-old son learned that electronic cigarettes were being smoked and sold in her school restroom.
"My son said that there was a child selling flavored electronic cigarettes, I was shocked," said the resident of Dubai.
"It's a new trend that young boys and teens can have these electronic cigarettes at school."
Last updated: 20 February 2019 18:52
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