Data from the Ministry of Health's report on smoking in Israel for 2024, published today (Tuesday), shows that one in five adult Israelis smokes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a rate approximately 301% higher than the global average. At the same time, quitting smoking in Israel is occurring at a rate 501% lower than the OECD average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The data also revealed that exposure to smoking in Arab society is twice as high as in Jewish society, and the electronic cigarette is the leading smoking product among youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The KAP survey by the Department of Health Education and Promotion and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), conducted after the start of the war, indicated that the smoking rate among adults in Israel is 20.51%, similar to its rate over the past decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An in-depth survey conducted with teenagers for the Ministry of Health regarding the use of smoking products revealed that the electronic cigarette is the first product tried by approximately 531% of those experimenting with the products. It was also found that very high rates of teenagers use smoking products with added flavors: 881% for hookahs, 821% for electronic cigarettes, and 451% for regular cigarettes and rolling tobacco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A first-of-its-kind survey, conducted among young people in Haredi society, also shows high rates of experimentation with smoking products: 54% in Haredi high schools (small yeshivots) and 80% in high schools for Haredi youth who have dropped out (ages 12-17).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The survey on smoking among adolescents and young adults in Haredi society (boys only) was conducted during 2024 by the Department of Education and Health Promotion in the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health, and was conducted through the Haredi Research Institute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The survey was conducted among 618 teenagers aged 12-17 and young men studying in large yeshivahs aged 17-24 and focused on smoking habits, exposure to smoking products, attitudes toward smoking, and awareness of its harms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The survey indicates high smoking rates among ultra-Orthodox youth and young adults. It was found that approximately 80% of youth attending high schools for dropouts had tried smoking at least once, and 54% of those attending high school yeshivahs. This is compared to the data in the HBSC report conducted among school students in the General and Religious Jewish Society (MMAD), where it was found that 14.8% had used a regular or electronic cigarette in the past month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rate of current smoking \u2013 that is, smokers who smoke regularly or occasionally \u2013 stands at 53% in high schools for youth dropouts, compared to only 23% in high school yeshivahs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among young people studying in large yeshivahs aged 17-24, approximately 77% have tried smoking, and over half of them (56%) smoke regularly or occasionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are differences between the Haredi streams: the rate of smokers in Hasidic yeshivots is higher (63%) than in Lithuanian yeshivots (52%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regular cigarettes are still the most common smoking product. Among young people, 881% of smokers in high school dropouts use regular cigarettes, compared to only 611% of those in high school yeshivas. In addition, 581% of those in high school dropouts and 491% of those in high school yeshivas also use electronic cigarettes. Among young people, 721% of smokers use regular cigarettes, and 701% use electronic cigarettes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Differences between the Haredi streams are also evident here \u2013 in Hasidic yeshivahs there is a higher use of regular cigarettes, while in Lithuanian yeshivahs the use of "vapes" (as an electronic cigarette is commonly called) is more common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2024 Smoking Data Report notes that, during the past year, 82 local and regional authorities and councils reported activity under the Smoking Prevention Law in Public Places. However, more than 651% of local authorities do not report to the Ministry of Health, as required by law, and even among the reporting authorities, there are many that do not enforce the Smoking Prevention Law in Public Places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Health Minister Uriel Bosso said: "The picture of the situation we present today reflects a worrying reality: the smoking epidemic continues and constitutes one of the deadliest health risk factors in the State of Israel. It is responsible for enormous morbidity and preventable death - especially among young people. This is a top-notch health mission, and we are fighting it with all our might.".<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\""In the past year, we have taken a number of significant steps: from the new regulations that require graphic warnings on smoking products, including electronic cigarettes, to extensive educational activities, dedicated outreach, and a national smoking cessation center - which operates free of charge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\""Our goal is clear: to reduce as much as possible the exposure, accessibility and addiction to tobacco and nicotine products - and to ensure that fewer young people join the circle of smokers. This is a national public health responsibility, and we are working with all the tools at our disposal to eradicate this epidemic.".<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ministry of Health Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov: "The use of electronic cigarettes, especially among young people, is gaining momentum, which is also affecting the extent of smoking regular cigarettes. In order to reduce smoking rates in Israel, a ministry initiative was approved this week to add graphic warnings to smoking products. In addition, the ministry led additional steps, including increasing taxation and comparing it between the various products and publishing a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of electronic cigarettes.". <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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