Israel requires graphic health warnings on 75% of tobacco packaging

From 2 August, Israel’s Ministry of Health has mandated that graphic health‑warning images cover at least 75 % of the surface area on all tobacco and nicotine product packaging, including cigarettes, e‑cigarettes, roll‑your‑own tobacco, hookah and nicotine pouches. The rule aims to curb smoking‑related deaths, which claim roughly 1,000 lives each month in Israel.

Violations can lead to criminal prosecution, with fines of up to 452,000 shekels (≈ $1.2 million) for corporations and 226,000 shekels (≈ $61,000) for individuals. The government consulted the public and accounted for cultural and religious sensitivities when selecting the images. Israel now joins about 140 countries that require full‑size graphic warnings. Moshe Bar‑Haim, CEO of the Israel Cancer Association, said the warnings help link tobacco use directly to its health harms, supporting the nation’s broader anti‑smoking strategy. The health ministry also reported an 800 % surge in calls to the national quit‑line after the announcement.