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 Antitransparency
Coalition and Secretary of the “No to Smoking” 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