Israel

Israel became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on November 22, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited in specified indoor public places and indoor workplaces, including government offices, hospitals, childcare facilities and preschools, and primary and secondary schools. The law permits designated smoking rooms in other indoor public places and indoor workplaces, such as malls, restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs. Smoking is also prohibited in specified forms of public transport, including trains, buses, and taxis.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

The law prohibits most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, subject to some exceptions. These exceptions include some advertising in newspapers, written advertising (mail, text message, etc.) to consenting consumers over the age of 21, and advertising at certain points of sale. Product display is prohibited at most points of sale. It is uncertain whether tobacco sponsorship is permitted.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

As of January 8, 2020, plain packaging is required for all tobacco products, excluding cigars and pipe tobacco sold in specialty tobacco shops. The law requires text-only health warnings to appear on smoked and smokeless tobacco products. The health warnings must cover 30 percent of each of the two principal display areas. There are twelve warnings that must be rotated with equal frequency. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar,” is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of tobacco products. The law requires that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities and the public information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machine. There are no restrictions on the sale of single cigarette sticks, small packets of cigarettes, or tobacco products via internet or based on location. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The sale of e-cigarettes is allowed. Most forms of advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes are prohibited. The law does not regulate the use of specified contents, ingredients or additives. Internet sales are allowed with restrictions but vending machine sales are prohibited. The law establishes a maximum nicotine concentration of 20mg/ml. In addition, the law requires a text-only health warning covering 30 percent of the two largest surfaces of product packaging.

Heated Tobacco Products

The sale of heated tobacco products (HTPs) is allowed. Existing smoking restrictions apply to HTPs. The law generally prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco inserts and devices. However, there are minor exceptions to the ban. Text-only health warnings are required to cover 65 percent of the front and back of tobacco insert packaging and 30 percent of device packaging. Plain packaging is required on tobacco inserts and devices.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

There are two primary laws governing tobacco control in Israel. The Prevention of Smoking and Exposure to Smoking in Public Places Law, 1983 regulates smoke free environments, which prohibits the use of e-cigarettes and tobacco products, including HTPs, except in designated areas. It has been amended several times, most recently in February 2016. The Restriction on Advertising and Marketing of Tobacco Products Law, 1983 regulates the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes and tobacco products, including HTPs. It also establishes the framework for health warnings on tobacco products and e-cigarette packaging and labeling. It has also been amended several times, most recently in June 2022.

The Restrictions on Advertising and Marketing of Tobacco Products Smoking Order (Change of Wording of Warnings), No. 5763-2002 contains the specific requirements for health warnings, including their contents, and other packaging and labeling requirements. The 2004 Amendment to the Consumer Protection Order (Labelling of Goods), 1983 prohibits the use of misleading indicia on tobacco product packaging and labeling. In addition, the Health Administration Circular No. 7/2012 on Prohibition on Smoking in Hospitals and Clinics provides details on the prohibition of smoking in hospitals and clinics. Similarly, Israel Prison Service Order No. 00-53-04 addresses restrictions on smoking within prisons and detention facilities.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff. No in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts were consulted for the review.