Smokers Beware: 8,000 Israelis Die Annually From Smoking

In a discussion held in the Knesset concerning the annual smoking-related death toll, Committee Chairperson MK Tamar Zandberg stated, "I was shocked by the fact that 8,000 people die in Israel every year from smoking-related damages, and even more so by the neglect of the issue."

Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Itamar Grotto, said during the committee meeting that the Ministry of Health has developed various legislative proposals in the field of smoking. Among the proposals: a total ban on advertising related to smoking, regulation of e-cigarettes and other smoking alternatives, and imposing restrictions on smoking in more public places such as kindergartens, open-air stadiums, and more.

Prof. Grotto further noted that there are places where legislation is unnecessary. "Regarding the ban on smoking in cars with children, it is something on the agenda, more difficult to enforce, so it will likely be addressed through traffic laws, and there are disagreements on this issue. A ban in zoos and open performances is also in our proposal. We believe that abolishing smoking rooms should be implemented in places like restaurants, pubs, and even the Knesset. Progress can be made quickly without legislation," he said.

Concerning smoking cessation, the Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Health said, "We want to open a national telephone center, operated by an external provider, under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health, independent of health funds. We estimate it will cost 5-6 million shekels per year."

"We intend to launch more campaigns," Prof. Grotto said. He also noted that the Ministry decided to publish warning images on cigarette packages as practiced in other countries and to increase the space dedicated to the warning on the packages.

MK Miki Rosenthal remarked during the discussion, "There are health issues whose impact is unknown. With cigarettes, there is no doubt about their direct link to mortality. The Ministry of Health's conduct is tantamount to negligent homicide. Thousands die, and the Ministry does nothing. I hope the ministry will come to its senses. It is known that not advertising tobacco saves lives. Mass public education reduces the number of smokers."

Dr. Hagai Levine, from the Association of Public Health Physicians, said during the discussion, "We recommend adopting a standardized, non-branded cigarette pack and a warning photo on the pack. It is necessary to ban the display of the product in stores and establish a fund for preventing smoking damage. It is also important to train teams for smoking cessation and fund nicotine substitutes. Cessation medications should be provided without requiring participation in cessation workshops."

Revekah Zeltzer Froelich from the Israel Cancer Association: "A smoker does not only harm themselves. They take society with them. They harm the family and impose an economic burden of tens of billions of dollars a year on the health system. Their children are exposed to passive smoking. It is a major social harm. It is proven that the most effective measures are legislation and advertising and marketing restrictions. Each year, young people join the circle of smokers. Marketing methods are sophisticated."