Israel Mandates Graphic Health Warnings on All Smoking Products Starting August 2

Starting August 2, 2024, all smoking products in Israel, including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, hookahs, and nicotine pouches, will be required to display graphic health warnings covering approximately 75% of the packaging. This new regulation aligns Israel with around 140 countries that mandate such warnings to deter smoking and raise awareness of its health risks. The warnings will include detailed health messages and references to national smoking cessation resources, while the remaining packaging will feature a uniform brownish-green color without logos or branding.

The legislation, which took over two decades to pass amid extensive parliamentary debates and tobacco industry opposition, aims to reduce smoking-related deaths in Israel. Currently, about 12,386 Israelis die annually from smoking-related diseases, with over a thousand deaths each month. The World Health Organization identifies smoking as the leading preventable cause of death worldwide.

Moshe Bar-Chaim, CEO of the Israel Cancer Association, welcomed the new regulations, emphasizing that the graphic images create an immediate link between the product and its health damage, potentially saving lives. He also expressed concern over rising use of electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches among youth. The law includes strict penalties for non-compliance, with fines up to 452,000 shekels for corporations and 226,000 shekels for private businesses distributing products without the mandated warnings.

Data from the Israel Cancer Association projects that by 2026, about 24% of Israelis will smoke regular cigarettes, with higher rates among men (34%) and youth aged 16-24 (24%) using electronic cigarettes. Surveys show strong public support for the graphic warnings, with 84% backing the measure and 57% of young people viewing it as an important step to highlight smoking dangers. The Ministry of Health developed the warnings considering cultural and religious sensitivities, in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which Israel ratified in 2003.