Burjeel Hospital swaps VAT refunds for health checks at Yas Mall

Burjeel Hospital has opened a VAT Refund Counter at Yas Mall to mark World No Tobacco Day. Instead of cash, shoppers receive health screenings and personalised receipts showing their health data. The initiative aims to highlight the hidden dangers of tobacco and vaping in a familiar retail setting.

The counter runs from May 31 to June 6, 2026, offering basic health checks alongside follow-up care options. It builds on last year’s Smokers Lounge campaign, which drew over 400,000 views and 13,000 engagements online. This time, the hospital is using the language of shopping to challenge the appeal of nicotine products.

Dr Trilok Chand, head of respiratory medicine at Burjeel, explained that the goal is to make invisible health risks visible. By placing the counter in a busy mall, the team hopes to engage people in a real-world consumer environment. The project also aligns with the World Health Organization’s 2026 theme, *Unmasking the Appeal*. The approach follows Burjeel’s strategy of creating immersive public health interventions. Rather than traditional awareness campaigns, the hospital designs experiences that encourage personal reflection on health choices.

The VAT Refund Counter replaces financial refunds with health insights. Visitors leave with a clearer picture of how tobacco and vaping affect their bodies. The activation continues Burjeel’s push to turn public spaces into opportunities for health education.