The fight against smoking intensifies: starting today, this is what cigarettes in Israel will look like

Starting today, a law mandating graphic warnings on all tobacco and nicotine products takes effect in Israel, covering 75% of the package surface. Israel joins about 140 countries. According to the Cancer Society, 12,386 Israelis die annually from smoking, and 24% of adults smoke. The survey shows an increase in use of new nicotine products, and about 40% of smokers increased smoking due to the security situation. The law imposes heavy fines on violators.

Starting today (Sunday), a law mandating graphic warnings on all tobacco and nicotine products takes effect in Israel, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, rolling tobacco, hookahs, and nicotine pouches. The images and warnings will cover 75% of the package surface, and the remaining part will retain the uniform design that took effect in 2020, without brand logos or marketing elements. Israel joins about 140 countries implementing graphic warnings, a step considered by the World Health Organization as one of the most effective tools to reduce smoking. According to the Cancer Society, 12,386 Israelis die each year from diseases caused by smoking, more than 1,000 per month. The survey shows that 24% of Israelis smoke cigarettes, 34% of men, and about 15% use e-cigarettes. The rate of hookah smokers rose from 11% to 15% within a year. About 40% of smokers reported increasing smoking due to stress, anxiety, and the security situation. The CEO of the Cancer Society, Moshe Bar-Haim, said the images create an immediate connection between health damage and the product, and called for stricter enforcement, higher taxation, and restrictions on advertising. The law sets fines of up to 452,000 shekels for corporations and 226,000 for private businesses for marketers without warnings.