Why People Smoke Less in Israel Than in Canada, Despite the Climate

The data is unambiguous. According to the Israel Cancer Association, the percentage of Israeli adults who smoke climbed from 20% to 24% over the past year [citation:1][citation:6]. In stark contrast, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have all achieved a smoking rate of approximately 13% [citation:1][citation:6].

• 🇮🇱 Israeli men: 34% smoking rate — significantly higher than women [citation:6].
• 🇮🇱 Israeli youth (16-34): 24% e-cigarette use, reflecting a broader nicotine culture [citation:6].
• 🇨🇦 Canadian average: 13% overall, with lower rates in cities like Vancouver and Toronto.
• 🌍 OECD average: 14.8% of people aged 15+ smoked daily in 2023 — placing Israel well above the average [citation:6].

Israel’s smoking rate did not reach 24% by accident. A significant factor in the recent increase is the extreme stress caused by the ongoing security situation. Research indicates that a staggering 37% of Israeli smokers have started, resumed, or increased their smoking frequency due to war-related stress, anxiety, or the security situation [citation:1][citation:6].

• 📈 The mental health link: Nicotine is often used as a maladaptive coping mechanism for anxiety and trauma. The constant state of high alert in Israel creates a powerful driver for tobacco use.
• 📊 The “stress smoker” phenomenon: Among current smokers, nearly 50% attribute their habit to war-related stress [citation:6].
• 🍽️ Hookah and e-cigarettes: The survey also revealed sharp increases in hookah (from 11% to 15%) and e-cigarette use (15% overall), indicating a broad shift in nicotine consumption patterns [citation:6].

One of the most effective tools for reducing smoking rates is high taxation, and Canada uses it aggressively. In Canada, taxes account for approximately 70-80% of the retail price of a pack of cigarettes. In Israel, the total tax burden is 77% of the retail price — slightly higher in percentage terms, but the starting price is much lower [citation:7].

• 🇮🇱 Israeli pricing: The most popular brand costs 36.00 ILS (approx. $10.62 USD) [citation:7].
• 🇨🇦 Canadian pricing: A standard pack costs $16-22 CAD, driven by punitive federal and provincial excise taxes.
• 💵 The affordability factor: Despite a 77% tax rate, a pack in Israel is still cheaper than in Canada because the base price is lower. This makes smoking more economically accessible, particularly for younger demographics.
• ⚠️ WHO recommendations: The WHO recommends excise taxes account for at least 70% of retail prices. Israel meets this threshold, but the lower absolute price keeps consumption higher [citation:7].

Both Israel and Canada have adopted “plain packaging” laws, but the stringency and enforcement differ, impacting consumer behavior.

• 🇨🇦 Canada (2019): Canada implemented plain packaging early and aggressively. All branding is stripped away; packages are drab brown with large graphic warnings covering 75% of the pack [citation:7].
• 🇮🇱 Israel (2020): Israel introduced plain packaging in January 2020, requiring uniform colors and fonts and banning logos [citation:4][citation:9]. However, Israeli plain packaging requires text-only health warnings covering just 30% of the package, not the 75% required in Canada [citation:7].
• 📉 The impact: Smaller, text-only warnings are less effective deterrents than Canada’s graphic, full-coverage images of diseased lungs and mouths. The psychological “nudge” away from smoking is weaker in Israel.

Cultural norms play a massive role. In Canada, a strong “denormalization” of smoking has occurred. Smoking is not just regulated; it is increasingly stigmatized in social circles .

• 🇨🇦 Canadian perception: “I think non-smoking is normal here. Most people hate it” . Smoking is often viewed as a lower-status or counter-cultural activity.
• 🇮🇱 Israeli environment: While smoking is banned in many public places, a culture of “smoking breaks” remains deeply embedded in workplaces, military service, and social gatherings.
• 🎭 The “collectivist” factor: Unlike in China (where cigarettes are essential for business gifting), Israeli smoking is often a shared coping mechanism for dealing with collective national trauma and stress . This shared experience normalizes the habit.

Israel is not an outlier in its region — it reflects a broader Middle Eastern trend. Across OECD countries, daily smoking rates are highest in Turkey, Hungary, and Greece [citation:6]. However, Israel’s high-income status combined with high smoking rates creates a unique public health paradox.

• 📊 European comparison: Many European nations with mild climates (Italy, Spain, France) have smoking rates that are also higher than Canada’s, suggesting that climate may be far less important than tax policy and social norms.
• ⚠️ The Canadian exception: Canada’s strict indoor smoking bans are more rigorously enforced than in many other nations, forcing smokers outdoors even in freezing winter conditions — a powerful deterrent that Israel’s milder climate doesn’t need to match .

While Israel’s cheaper packs ($10.62 USD) make smoking accessible, Canadian smokers face some of the highest prices in the world. However, native cigarettes (Playfare, Canadian, DuMont, Nexus, Rolled Gold) offer Canadian smokers an affordable alternative, with cartons costing just $29-50 — comparable to international prices.

• 💰 Cost savings: A Canadian pack-a-day smoker who switches to native cigarettes saves $5,000-7,000 per year.
• 🚫 Not “healthier”: Native cigarettes contain the same nicotine, tar, and carcinogens as commercial brands. The only difference is price and packaging.
• 📦 Online delivery: Cigstore.ca ships to every province and territory with $29 flat shipping (free over $290).
• 🌎 Global comparison: Native cigarette prices put Canadian smokers on par with Israeli prices — approximately $3-5 per pack of 20.