Smoking continues to pose a severe public health threat in Israel, with one in five adults identifying as smokers and rates significantly outpacing the global average, according to the Ministry of Health’s 2024 Smoking Data Report released Tuesday.
The report reveals that 20.5% of Israelis smoke, a figure 30% higher than the global average. Even more concerning is that the country’s smoking cessation rate is 50% lower than the OECD average, signaling long-term challenges in reversing the epidemic.
Youth and Minority Populations Most Affected
The youth smoking trend is especially troubling. Over half of teens who experiment with smoking begin with electronic cigarettes, many of which are flavored. Among teenage users, 88% of hookah users, 82% of e-cigarette users, and 45% of traditional cigarette smokers reported using flavored tobacco products.
The report also highlights disparities across communities. Arab men have an especially high smoking rate, at 40.3%, and exposure to secondhand smoke in Arab communities is nearly double that of Jewish communities.
In Haredi high school yeshivas, 54% of students reported having tried smoking. Among at-risk Haredi youth, the rate climbs to 80%, according to a first-of-its-kind survey focused on this population.
Government Responds with New Regulations and Initiatives
“The smoking epidemic continues and constitutes one of the deadliest health risk factors in the State of Israel,” said Minister of Health MK Uriel Bosso, noting the impact on youth and the country’s health system.
In response, the Ministry of Health has implemented several new initiatives, including:
- Graphic health warnings on all smoking products, including e-cigarettes.
- A national smoking cessation center providing free services.
- Educational campaigns and outreach focused on at-risk communities.
- A proposal to ban flavored e-cigarettes and disposable vaporizers.
Additionally, the Ministry formed an interdisciplinary task force to reassess smoking prevention strategies.
“We are working with all the tools at our disposal to eradicate this epidemic,” Bosso stated.
Enforcement and Compliance Challenges
Despite legislative advances—such as bans on public smoking, public transportation smoking, and sales to minors—enforcement remains inconsistent. Only 82 municipalities reported actions under the Public Smoking Prevention Law, and 65% of municipalities failed to submit required compliance data. Even among those that did report, many were found to be ineffective in enforcement.
Dr. Sharon Alrai Price, head of the Public Health Division, warned, “Smoking tobacco and its products is still the leading preventable cause of death. The increasing use of electronic cigarettes is a clear threat, especially among youth.”
War and Mental Health Driving Relapses
Two additional reports released Wednesday add further context. A survey by the Israel Cancer Association found that nearly one-third of Israelis have started or returned to smoking recently, largely due to stress and anxiety stemming from the ongoing war. About 5% of current smokers admitted to increasing their smoking since the conflict began.
Meanwhile, a position paper from the Israeli Pulmonary Association declared smoking as one of the country’s most devastating and preventable epidemics, urging better law enforcement and public awareness.
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