Israel's Tobacco Control Efforts Show Mixed Results Amid Affordability Concerns
Israel climbs tobacco rankings as cigarette affordability raises concerns - study
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A recent European report ranks Israel 10th in the 2025 Tobacco Control Scale, highlighting improvements in anti-smoking policies. However, concerns arise as tobacco products become more affordable, undermining the effectiveness of tax increases aimed at reducing smoking, particularly among youth.
- 01Israel scored 54 out of 100 points in the 2025 Tobacco Control Scale, placing it alongside Spain, Denmark, and Iceland.
- 02Despite recent tax hikes, Israel's pricing policy score dropped to 11 points, five fewer than in the previous index.
- 03The country received 8 out of 10 points for smoking cessation support, indicating extensive assistance programs.
- 04New regulations will require graphic health warnings covering 75% of tobacco packaging starting August 2, 2026.
- 05Ireland ranked first with 80 points, while Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked last with only 20 points.
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Israel has made strides in its anti-smoking policies, ranking 10th out of 37 countries in the 2025 Tobacco Control Scale with a score of 54 out of 100. Despite this progress, a new report from the Smoke Free Partnership warns that tobacco products are becoming more affordable, particularly affecting teenagers and young adults. The report indicates that recent tax increases have not sufficiently raised cigarette prices in line with inflation and purchasing power, leading to a decline in Israel's pricing policy score to just 11 points. While Israel received commendable scores for smoking cessation support and public smoking bans, it failed to earn points for raising the legal purchasing age or combating illegal tobacco trade. Positive developments include upcoming regulations mandating graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging, set to take effect in 2026. Overall, the report reflects a concerning trend across Europe, where many countries are losing ground in tobacco control due to pricing and regulatory gaps.
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The affordability of tobacco products in Israel could lead to increased smoking rates among youth, undermining public health efforts.
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