Gaza's Smokers Turn to Jute Leaves Amid Tobacco Shortages

In Gaza City, residents are increasingly turning to molokhia, or jute leaves, as a substitute for traditional tobacco due to severe shortages caused by Israel's blockade. The price of cigarettes has surged dramatically, rising from 1 Israeli shekel (approximately 33 cents) to between 30 and 40 shekels (about $10-13). Abu Yahya Helles, a local vendor, has begun coating dried jute leaves with liquid nicotine to create a makeshift cigarette alternative. Helles acknowledges that these homemade roll-ups are not a true substitute for conventional cigarettes, stating, “This is in no way a substitute for cigarettes because, at the end of the day, this is molokhia with nicotine added to it.”

The Straits TimesGaza Turns to ‘Ewedu’ Leaves As Tobacco Substitute

Despite the ongoing conflict and destruction in Gaza, Helles operates a stall on a busy street, surrounded by rubble from buildings destroyed in airstrikes. The demand for his product reflects the desperation of many Gazans facing limited options. Nivin Samir, a long-time smoker who has switched to molokhia cigarettes, described the experience as unpleasant, saying, “They taste and smell awful. I smoke several a day, maybe to vent my anger, or to live out my fantasy of enjoying them with a cup of coffee.”

Gaza Turns to ‘Ewedu’ Leaves As Tobacco Substitute

The blockade has not only affected the availability of traditional tobacco but also the supply of molokhia itself, as Israel controls all access points into Gaza. Mohammed Helles, another cigarette seller, emphasized that people are not choosing to smoke molokhia but are forced into it due to the lack of imported cigarettes. He expressed a desire for normal tobacco to be imported again, stating, “We want cigarettes to be imported again so we can smoke normal tobacco.”

The Straits TimesGaza Turns to ‘Ewedu’ Leaves As Tobacco Substitute

For many, smoking has become a coping mechanism in the aftermath of war. Abu Muhammad Saqrin, a 47-year-old resident, remarked, “I’ve been smoking since I was 13. Now I smoke molokhia cigarettes and leaves. If they gave me poison, I’d smoke it. I have no life or future to save my health for.”

The Straits Times

Despite the makeshift nature of these cigarettes, there are growing concerns about their safety. Residents like Walid al-Naizi have expressed wariness about the homemade products, questioning the unknown substances added to them. “We can’t tell if they are actually nicotine, poisons or even cockroach insecticide,” he cautioned.

The Straits Times

The shift to molokhia cigarettes in Gaza highlights the dire circumstances faced by residents under ongoing restrictions and shortages. As the blockade continues to impact daily life, the search for alternatives reflects a broader struggle for survival in a region marked by conflict and uncertainty.

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