ots@ohrtorahstone.org.il

Question: I have a friend who constantly takes my cigarette packs and destroys them, because she doesn’t approve of my smoking. Given the opinion that smoking is forbidden for health reasons, is she nonetheless transgressing by stealing from me?

Answer: Not only is your friend not stealing, but she deserves a special yasher koach from you and from anyone who loves you. Cigarettes are absolutely halachically prohibited, and anyone who smokes transgresses the law of “And you shall guard your souls.” Furthermore, given all of the knowledge we have about the relationship between cigarette smoking and cancer as well as other diseases, one who permits another to smoke in his or her presence transgresses the rule, “Thou shalt not stand idly by when the blood of your sibling is being shed.” I personally would prohibit all cigarettes from being sold in Efrat were it not for the fact that the Chief Rabbis unfortunately (and incorrectly) do not prohibit it, and I cannot prohibit that which the Chief Rabbinate permits.

If you have a question for Q & A, send it to ots@ohrtorahstone.org.il . We cannot guarantee that all questions received will be answered in this column.

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