Puff Drop: Israelis are smoking less. A new study shows a 14% drop in the number of smokers, although just 3% fewer cigarettes were consumed, shedding some doubt on the veracity of the responses. Image by getty images

The number of smokers in Israel is continuing to decline, according to a Health Ministry study.

The report, which by law is submitted annually to the Knesset, shows that the proportion of smokers in Israel has declined 14 percent within one year. The report is based on surveys conducted by the Center for Disease Control at the Health Ministry, and its findings suggest the continued tax increases on cigarettes may be having an effect on the number of people who kick the habit.

The survey was conducted in 2011–2012 among 2,964 Israelis aged 21 and up. It found that 17.7 percent of the adult population in Israel smokes cigarettes: Among Jewish men, 20.9 percent smoke, as do 12 percent of Jewish women, 41.4 percent of Arab men and 8.1 percent of Arab women.

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These results reflect a drop from the previous year’s survey, which showed that 20.6 percent of the adult population were smokers. (In this survey, 27.2 percent of men and 14.5 percent of women, 19.8 percent of Jews and 24.9 percent of Arabs were smokers.)

The report also shows that in 2012, Israelis consumed 415 million packs of cigarettes, down from 426 million in 2011 (a drop of 2.7 percent).

For more go to Haaretz

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