E-cigarettes in Israel

Israel: The Knesset (parliament) Finance Committee today approved Decree No.5/2023 on the customs tariff and exemptions and purchase tax on goods, press reports. The decree sets excise duty on e-liquids and disposable e-cigarettes at 145% of the wholesale price, plus ILS4.64 ($1.30) per ml, up to a total limit of ILS8.90 ($2.50) per ml, until 16th February 2025. The rate was previously 182% of the wholesale price, plus ILS5.51 ($1.50) per ml.

Israel: The Ministry of Health yesterday issued a new warning against the use of e-cigarettes, after a boy was hospitalised with a collapsed lung reportedly caused by vaping. The ministry said the incident was a wake-up call over what it described as “a new and real threat to the health of children, teenagers and adults”.

Israel: The Ministry of Health has issued a warning against the use of Librette e-cigarettes, following comments from the Committee for the Investigation of Public Deception. The ministry said advertising for the product misled consumers by claiming it cleansed the lungs and helped quit smoking.

Israel: Following the death of a 16-year-old, allegedly related to vaping, a parliamentary Special Committee for the Rights of the Child yesterday discussed e-cigarette control. While opposition members argued that the dangers of e-cigarettes far outweigh any potential benefits and called for a complete ban, members of the ruling coalition were less dogmatic. Limor Son Har-Melech of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party denied any link between vaping and death. Tali Gottlieb of the Likud party said there was no need for a ban but called for a campaign to intensify control over e-cigarettes, while fellow Likud member Eli Dellal proposed raising the purchasing age to 21.

Israel: The Tax Authority has told ECigIntelligence that finance minister Bezalel Smotrich today signed a decree to lower the tax on vaping products. The decree sets excise duty on e-liquids and disposable e-cigarettes at 145% of the wholesale price, plus ILS4.64 ($1.30) per ml, up to a total limit of ILS8.90 ($2.50) per ml; the duty was previously 182% of the wholesale price, plus ILS5.51 ($1.50) per ml, with a minimum of ILS10.56 ($3) per ml. The order will be in effect until 16th February 2025, subject to approval by the Knesset Finance Committee within 60 days.