Jerusalem – Israel on Tuesday outlawed the import and sale of e-cigarettes made by Silicon Valley start-up Juul Labs, citing public health concerns given their nicotine content.
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A statement by Israel’s Health Ministry said the Juul was banned because it contains nicotine at a concentration higher than 20 milligrams per millilitre and poses “a grave risk to public health”.
Since launching in 2015, the flash drive-sized vaping device has transformed the market in the United States, where it now accounts for nearly 70 percent of tracked e-cigarette sales.
The Israeli move was consistent with similar restrictions in Europe, the statement said.
The ban, which goes into effect in 15 days, was signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also holds the health portfolio.
Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported in May that Juul e-cigarettes were already available for purchase at 30 locations around the country.
Juul says it targets adult smokers, but it has faced scrutiny over the popularity of its products with teenagers.
In April the U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched a crackdown on the sale of e-cigarettes and tobacco products to minors, particularly those developed by Juul Labs.
Why aren’t cigarettes banned, period, as they are hazardous to health? Cigarette smoking has killed more Israelis than all of the wars and terrorist acts combined, in the last 70 years. If you don’t believe that statement, check with the Israeli Ministry of Health which keeps those statistics. Unfortunately, many Israelis seem to think that they are not macho enough, if they don’t smoke.