ISRAEL (VINnews) — Each year on Purim, in both Israel and America, an unfortunate phenomenon takes place–Charedi teens and pre-teens try out smoking for the first time, and sadly, some become hooked for life.
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Now the Israeli Health Ministry is launching a campaign to persuade kids not to take even a single puff.
In some circles as part of Purim festivities, it is the accepted “norm” for young boys to try out smoking. (This may be partially due to some Charedi families condoning smoking in general).
The Israeli campaign shares anti-smoking messages specifically targeted toward Charedim, and it has the support of respected Rabbonim.
Advertisements which will be seen throughout the Charedi media quote research suggesting that one in ten kids who smoke become addicted after just one cigarette.
The ad implies that teenagers believe that since it’s Purim, it’s okay to light up a cigarette.
“But after the first cigarette on Purim, the process of addiction has begun, and people regret this moment,” the campaign says.
The campaign is backed by high-profile Rabbonim. Hagaon Harav Yitzchok Zilberstein praised Maccabi Healthcare Services for campaigning against the practice, saying: If just one young guy refrains from smoking this Purim you’ll have saved a life in Israel and your spiritual reward will be great.”
In the past, Hagan Harav Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman signed a letter about the dangers of smoking, as well as Hagaon Harav Nissim Karelitz.
Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer, who heads the Charedi Israel division at the Tikvah Fund, is skeptical about the effectiveness of the campaign.
He was quoted by The Times of Israel saying. “There is definitely a phenomenon of children smoking on Purim; it’s a relic of the past as this is what happened when smoking was very common in yeshivot and kids are acting like adults on Purim. It’s very disturbing but it’s the way it is. But will a government campaign help? It will catch some eyes, but the impact will be limited.”
He added, “Perhaps among the more modern-minded Charedim, it will have an effect, but among others who are less engaged with the state and the government — who are actually those more likely to smoke as they’re less influenced by social norms outside Charedi society— people are less likely to listen.”
If they won’t listen to the Zionists on this, because of who is the messenger, then the Rabbanim should come out and have their people put up pashkevilim as needed that smoking is absolutely forbidden, even just on Purim.
We need to allow our kids to drink in moderation. In other words only wine and only during the Seuda when it’s a mitzva. Totally banning something that’s clearly a mitzva and mesora is just not helpful. They will go the other way.
Ps I know the article is about smoking vs drinking but I wanted to note something about drinking too
Lighten up. Nobody ever became a habitual smoker from smoking once a year. These government bureaucrats in “make work” jobs ought to get lives.
Another attempt by the Zionists to destroy Yiddishkeit.
Next they’ll want them to work!
When my kids were small, they tried smoking on Purim because all the kids tried it. For small kids, there is no taste in smoking, and just the opposite they only did it to try it out.
Since they hated it, none of my boys smoke. So it worked out for us good!