Israel’s Health Ministry will ban the sale of nicotine-rich electronic cigarettes like the popular Juul product, under an order expected to be issued by the end of next week, TheMarker has learned. An official said that the decision to ban e-cigarettes containing more than 20 milligrams of nicotine, was taken without any notice to the public.
Why does the Israel government want to ban e-cigarettes like Juul?
The Juul quickly became the hottest e-cigarette brand in the U.S. Sales in Israel began without any legal restrictions, making Israel the first country outside the USA to sell the Juul. Critics have accused the Health Ministry of failing to act quickly to curb an imminent health threat.
No one is allowed to sell e-cigarettes to children in Israel, advertise freely or vape them everywhere. Although Juul has begun banning the sales of e-cigarettes to children under the age of 18 too. The only restrictions imposed on them are from the Education Ministry. Which issued a notice in April banning them from entering schools.
Getting stricter!
The Health Ministry of Israel wants to adopt the European approach. To regulate e-cigarettes. Which bans any cigarette containing more than 20 milligrams of nicotine. Juul has 59 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid. Which is far higher than the 6 to 30 milligrams of other e-cigarettes.
About 8,000 Israelis are reported to die each year from diseases linked to smoking. According to the Israeli Health Ministry’s annual report, 20.5 percent of Israelis smoked in 2017. Hookah sales rose 28 percent while cigarette consumption fell. Health Ministry of Israel released its 2017 annual smoking report on Thursday. About a fifth (20.5 percent) of Israelis over the age of 21 smoke, the report said.
Getting all legal!
Juul‘s Israeli attorney, Joseph, called the ban “illegal”. He said it “constitutes an improper procedure that will not withstand any examination of correct administrative procedures.”
Juul claims that the nicotine levels in its products are no higher than regular cigarettes and are less harmful to health. The company will appeal for sure.
Ryan
Ryan is a writer, editor and content creator who spends most of his time bringing the interesting, entertaining, original and well-written articles to vapers. He believes that vaping is not only a healthier alternative to smoking, but also a great experience of life.
