GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Nael Abu Diya quit smoking a year and a half ago, after having been addicted to cigarettes for 13 years. He has been smoking e-cigarettes as a substitute for tobacco ever since. 

However, the Oct. 6 decision by the Ministry of National Economy in the Gaza Strip to ban the entry and import of electronic cigarettes and shishas due to health risks angered Abu Diya and fellow e-cigarette smokers, who took to social media.

Abu Diya, a public servant who lives in Gaza City, told Al-Monitor, “I succeeded in quitting smoking tobacco by resorting to e-cigarettes, which saved me a lot of money. I spent around 450 shekels [$128] a month on regular cigarettes. Now I just pay 50 shekels [$14.25] per month for e-cigarettes.”

A pack of cigarettes costs on average 15 Israeli shekels ($4.25) in the Gaza Strip. Before he quit smoking, Abu Diya would buy one pack a day, at least. The average e-cigarette cost is 200 shekels ($57), a one-time expense. The cost of the liquid nicotine amounts to 25 shekels ($7.10). Abu Diya buys two packs of e-cigarette liquids per month.