1. Introduction, The Growing Shift Toward Smoke-Free Living in Israel
2. The Role of Public Health Initiatives in Reducing Tobacco Use
3. Nicotine Pouches: A Modern Alternative to Traditional Smoking
4. How Israel’s Innovation Ecosystem is Driving Healthier Choices
5. Why Young Professionals Are Choosing Smoke-Free Options
6. To Wrap It Up
Introduction, The Growing Shift Toward Smoke-Free Living in Israel
Israel has long been a nation of smokers, and not just cigarettes! Hookahs have always been particularly popular, a traditional smoking device used for thousands of years and still prevalent in many parts of the Middle East. Of course, in recent years, the introduction of vapes proved extremely successful in Israel. Even today, they’re popular. E-cigarettes are predicted to grow by 4% to 2029 in Israel thanks to local vape stores and Israeli e-liquid manufacturers.
In 2019, it looked as if smoking numbers in Israel were on the decline, with 1 in 5 adult smokers but since the war began in 2023, numbers have shifted in the wrong direction, 20% of adult Israelis smoke today, and while sufficient data is not readily available, small studies show that 56% of self-reported smokers are smoking more cigarettes than pre 7th October 2023. Another more alarming study shows that 65% of respondents are smoking more since the start of the war. Smoking in Israel is responsible for 8,000 premature deaths every year, and 10% of those deaths are non-smokers, exposed to second-hand smoke. Furthermore, during COVID-19, smoking increased by 30% in Israel. It’s fair to say that there is a worrying cigarette pandemic in the country.
The Role of Public Health Initiatives in Reducing Tobacco Use
The government is prioritizing tobacco harm-reduction and Israel’s Ministry of Health aims to monitor the general population, regulate the accessibility of cigarettes and vapes, and drive public education to discourage Israelis from smoking.
Currently, the government works hand-in-hand with Smoke Free Israel. Smoking is banned in almost all public spaces – except for designated areas. Furthermore, much has been accomplished including tax on e-cigs, along with restrictions on advertising and marketing smoking products. While there is still much work to be done, one category that’s enjoying a surge in buoyant sales is smokeless alternatives, especially nicotine and caffeine pouches, which young adult Israelis in particular have embraced over the past couple of years.
Nicotine Pouches: A Modern Alternative to Traditional Smoking
Nicotine pouches have already enjoyed tremendous popularity across Africa, Europe, the USA, and parts of the Middle East. During the last 12 months, more vape stores in Israel have begun to stock (albeit a limited selection of) nicotine pouches (most Israelis buy these products online). These smokeless alternatives have become an exciting trend in Israel, thanks to social media content, famous Hollywood A-listers and soccer players endorsing these products, and big influencers such as Joe Rogan confirming their efficacy as effective (and pleasurable) smoking cessation tools. But what are nicotine pouches?
Nicotine pouches are tiny, highly perforated oral sachets that contain a blend of pure-grade nicotine, flavorings (similar to those found in vape juices), water, sweetener, and plant-based fibers. These products are non-combustible which means they do not emit any smoke or fumes. So, they don’t pollute air quality, and neither do they impact other people – reducing the risk of second-hand smoking. What’s more, as they’re fume-free, there’s no risk to respiratory health as there’s no inhalation involved.
It’s important to note the absence of tobacco in nicotine pouches. It’s tobacco that’s the most dangerous ingredient in cigarettes and vapes, responsible for tobacco-related cancer, such as lung cancer, bladder cancer, oral cancer, throat cancer, and stomach cancer amongst others. Nicotine pouches immediately remove that massive risk because they’re tobacco-free. This is one reason why Israelis love nicotine pouches so much!
There are many other benefits too, such as being odor-free. Unlike cigarettes, these products do not smell, and neither do they leave an unpleasant lingering aroma on clothes or in confined spaces. Nicotine pouches are also discreet and convenient. Being discreet, they can be used anywhere and at any time, even in places where smoking and vaping are restricted.
How Nicotine Pouches Work
They work by releasing nicotine into the mouth which absorbs through the mouth’s membrane, bypassing the digestive system. The sensation is almost instantaneous and floods the body with an exciting thrill, releasing Endorphins and curbing urges to smoke (thanks to the nicotine). Users often describe a tingling feeling, coupled with happiness and an energy burst, yet interestingly, also relaxation. This feeling lasts a minimum of 30 minutes (longer than a cigarette), often longer. That is why these products are such effective smoking cessation tools and Israeli adults are using them as a fun adult recreational product that’s safer and therefore healthier than cigarettes and vaping products.
How Israel’s Innovation Ecosystem is Driving Healthier Choices
Apart from nicotine pouches being mess-free, odor-free, discreet, convenient, and highly pleasurable, there’s another reason that’s driving their popularity in Israel and that’s the innovation behind them. Arguably, Israel is right at the forefront of technology, it is already regarded as being technologically forward-thinking, and its technology has changed the world, for example, Israelis invented Waze, the navigation system. Israel also invented USB drives and the first instant messaging product was invented by Israelis too, back in the 1990s. The Firewall was also an Israeli invention and of course, it is responsible for its Iron Dome, protecting its people from attack. t’s medical breakthroughs include Lifeward which helps paraplegics to walk and Copaxone, a treatment for multiple sclerosis. Israel’s innovation ecosystem is a key player in driving healthier choices, especially in its Healthtech and digital health solutions, (e.g., wearable devices, AI-driven diagnostics, and telemedicine services). Nicotine pouches are there to bring people a better alternative to smoking and vaping and it's fair to say that Israelis appreciate disruptive products. Nicotine pouches are therefore the perfect fit for Israel’s innovation ecosystem.
Why Young Professionals Are Choosing Smoke-Free Options
So why are young, professional Israelis especially keen on switching over to nicotine pouches? There are so many reasons, some of which have already been mentioned, for example, the innovation behind these tiny sachets excites young Israelis who embrace their own technological advances in every industry sector. Of course, nicotine pouches aren’t banned in Israel, whereas cigarettes and vapes are restricted in many public areas nowadays, making it harder for smokers to indulge in a cigarette – nicotine pouches are a very efficient replacement. Israelis may well be under extraordinary pressure in these current, unsettling times, but they still want to prioritize their health, even though it feels difficult to do so. The advent of nicotine pouches has given them a very attractive option that’s clearly safer than smoking cigarettes, vaping, and using Hookahs too.
To Wrap It Up
While Israel clearly needs to address its smoking pandemic, it’s encouraging to see the government taking a stand to reduce the impact of smoking on citizens. Smoking bans have helped but not enough – 20% of the adult population still smoke and numbers are higher than they were pre-pandemic. The Ministry of Health has defined smoking cessation as one of its priorities but more needs to be done. Nicotine pouches are helping to mitigate the smoking crisis in Israel and as these products become more widespread, being sold in e-cigarette shops and online, there’s hope that more smokers will switch over.