Amman, June 2 (Petra) - Tobacco consumption in the Kingdom has transitioned from an isolated personal choice into a broader development challenge, affecting household expenditure, national healthcare budgets, and labor productivity due to its correlation with chronic illnesses.

Coinciding with World No Tobacco Day, themed this year "Protecting children from tobacco industry interference," public health authorities are advocating for a structured framework that combines regulatory enforcement, preventative education, and expanded cessation services to manage youth exposure and shifts in demographic consumption.

Dr. Ghaith Oweis, Director of the Health Awareness and Information Directorate at the Ministry of Health, reported that tobacco use is a primary contributing factor in more than 9,500 deaths annually in Jordan, linked to non-communicable conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Data from the Ministry indicates that overall tobacco use among the population has reached 51 percent, distributed between 71 percent among males and approximately 29 percent among females. Longitudinal tracking shows that 38 percent of current tobacco users initiated the habit before age 18, and 84 percent began before reaching 24.

With individual monthly expenditure on cigarettes averaging an estimated JD 78, the economic impact directly affects disposable household income. Oweis also noted a shift in the consumption metrics of specific products, with women accounting for 54 percent of hookah users compared to 46 percent for men, illustrating changing social patterns regarding tobacco placement.

In response, the Ministry of Health is executing its National Anti-Tobacco Strategy. During 2025, field inspectors conducted more than 40,000 monitoring visits to ensure compliance with the Public Health Law, leading to formal warnings, fines, and targeted closures of non-compliant venues.

The Ministry has also enacted updated guidelines for retail establishments, requiring tobacco products to be kept in closed storage units or behind opaque screens to minimize product visibility to minors. Retail operators are legally required to verify identification for any buyers under the age of 18.

To facilitate cessation, the Ministry manages 31 specialized clinics across the Kingdom, offering free counseling and nicotine replacement therapies to all residents. These clinics handled 21,000 cases over the last two years, recording an average successful cessation rate of 15 percent. Enforcement is coordinated through inter-agency cooperation with the Greater Amman Municipality, the Ministry of Local Administration, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply, and the Public Security Directorate. Furthermore, a joint initiative with the Ministry of Education has deployed 94 trained liaison officers with judicial enforcement authority across public school networks.

Dr. Larissa Al-Uar, Board Member of the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control and Secretary of the "Tobacco Free Jordan ", . Society, stated that commercial marketing strategies utilize specialized flavor profiles and compact product designs to position electronic cigarettes toward younger demographics, despite their containing addictive nicotine levels.

Al-Uar explained that adolescent nicotine exposure can affect neurological development, specifically impact memory and concentration retention, while increasing long-term cardiovascular risks. She recommended the systematic implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), stricter oversight of digital promotional material, and the restriction of corporate sponsorships in academic institutions. She also noted that fiscal measures, such as adjusting excise taxes on tobacco products, remain effective tools for managing demand among younger and lower-income demographics, while generating revenue that can offset public healthcare costs. Al-Uar also cited the growing ecological footprint of electronic waste, including lithium batteries and plastic cartridges from disposable devices.

Dr. Nour Obeidat, Director of the Cancer Control Office at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), stated that preventative tobacco policies represent one of the most resource-efficient public health interventions available for chronic disease reduction. Established in 2010, the KHCC Cancer Control Office works to integrate preventative healthcare into national oncology strategies via data collection, policy research, and community outreach.

Obeidat noted that tobacco exposure is clinically linked to at least 15 distinct variations of cancer, alongside its role as a risk factor for diabetes and respiratory conditions. She observed that while high smoking rates necessitate extensive lung cancer screening programs, continued tobacco use post-diagnosis negatively influences treatment efficacy and recovery timelines. Consequently, clinical cessation remains a foundational element in improving patient outcomes across chronic disease management protocols.

//Petra// AA