A Nation at War:
Fighting for the Health of Israel
Israel faces threats from every direction—external enemies surround our land, yet the most dangerous opponent we can become is ourselves. At the Embassy of Benevolence, we believe caring for our bodies is a sacred duty. Smoking undermines that duty and injures not only individuals but the strength of our nation.
Smoking in Israel: The Stark Reality
One in five adults in Israel smokes—around 20.5% of the population— a rate that has remained stable for over a decade.
In 2022, approximately 1.3 million adult smokers lived in Israel—26.4% of men and 13.3% of women.
Smoking claims around 4,000 lives annually, representing nearly 8% of all deaths in Israel.
Secondhand smoke touches nearly 50% of Israelis, especially in crowded, lower-income neighborhoods—leading to increased respiratory illness among children .
Though Israeli law prohibits smoking in enclosed public spaces under the Clean Air Act, enforcement remains uneven, and compliance is incomplete.
A Story That Should Never Happen
Around a Shabbat table, a heartbreaking story circulated: a mother received a call from a rabbi at a Jerusalem school. He urged her to buy cigarettes for her young, elementary-aged son—not for health, but so he wouldn’t be bullied. This reversal of values is unacceptable. The synagogue, the classroom, the rabbi—they should foster protection, not harm. They must encourage our youth to stop smoking, not to start.
“And do not put a stumbling block before the blind.” — Leviticus 19:14
We must never mislead or harm others—especially vulnerable children.
How the Embassy of Benevolence Is Answering the Call
Smoking is more than a health issue—it’s a national security issue. Here’s how our initiative aligns with our mission to safeguard Israel:
1. Education & Awareness Campaigns
Distribute powerful materials—flyers, videos, social media posts—highlighting smoking’s lethal toll and promoting alternatives.
Host webinars, community events, and school forums featuring health professionals and religious leaders opposing smoking.
2. Partnering with Local Initiatives
Collaborate with Israeli NGOs, health ministries, and grassroots campaigns already working to reduce tobacco use.
Offer support by translating materials, co-hosting events, or amplifying their message through our channels.
3. National Programs & Support Networks
Launch smoking cessation programs that include spiritual counseling, peer support groups, and access to nicotine alternatives or wellness tools.
Create a “Healthy Israel Initiative” that offers workshops in schools, workplaces, and community centers about stress management and self-care during times of conflict.
4. Advocacy & Public Engagement
Call on religious leaders and educators to publicly denounce smoking, not encourage it—especially among children.
Promote stronger enforcement of existing laws, like the Clean Air Act, and support public lawsuits like those addressing secondhand smoke incursion
Why This Matters to Our Mission
The Embassy of Benevolence stands for:
Defending health as a human right: Our nation must be physically strong—our bodies, our people.
Protecting each other: In a land filled with external threats, we cannot falter from within.
Principled leadership: Religious and communal authorities must support life, not lead our youth astray.
Community resilience: When we help people quit smoking, we invest in a healthier, more robust society.
“Strengthen yourselves in your God… and He shall strengthen yours.” — 1 Samuel 30:6
True strength comes from health, spirit, and God—not self-destruction.
“The smoking epidemic is one of the most destructive public health crises.”
— Sharon Alroy-Preis, head of the Ministry’s Public Health Division