Jordan urged to reform its anti-tobacco policies to address numerous challenges

Jordan, where male smoking rates are among the highest in the world (71.2 per cent), is facing a major health crisis and significant financial repercussions. Annual expenditures to treat tobacco-related illnesses are estimated at 1.42 billion Jordanian dinars (€1.4 million), far exceeding tax revenues of around 1 billion (€1.2 million). Including productivity losses and premature deaths, the total cost to the economy reaches 1.6 billion dinars (€1.9 million) per year. Thus, for every dinar collected by the state from tobacco, the national economy loses 1.6. To combat this major fiscal and health crisis, experts and national and international organizations have proposed avenues for reform, supported by the WHO.[1].

Smoking permeates Jordanian society

In Jordan, the smoking prevalence in 2022 was approximately 36.1% among adults aged 15 years and older, with a rate of 57.8% for men and 13.4% for women.[2], who, if they smoke more traditional tobacco than before, are more consumers of modern products that are less stigmatizing for them, such as flavored cigarettes or shisha.

Among high school students aged 16 to 18 in Amman, approximately 27.6% are active smokers, with 43% having already used tobacco within the past year.

This situation is the result of a very successful process of normalizing smoking in the country. Smoking has long been considered a cultural element and is deeply rooted in social habits. Furthermore, in addition to cigarettes, hookah smoking (14.1% of the population, more than half of whom are women) is traditionally significant. Finally, the introduction of new nicotine products, particularly electronic cigarettes (7.2% of smokers), further complicates the situation.

The country's legislation is inadequate, as are the support systems for smokers. Thus, while attempts to quit exist, with 37% of smokers reporting having tried to quit in the past year, access to effective services remains insufficient.

According to a report recently published by STOP (Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products), manufacturers are heavily marketing to young people. The authors noted how the immediate vicinity of schools remains saturated with tobacco and nicotine products, in attractive and flavored formats, sometimes at child height and next to sweets. In addition, one in five stores sells individual cigarettes, a practice that makes tobacco even more financially accessible to young people.

At the same time, the law prohibiting smoking in public places is poorly enforced. As a result, 80,000 adults are exposed to secondhand smoke, including in public, educational, and even healthcare institutions. Similarly, 70,000 employees of the Greater Amman Municipality are smokers, even though this institution is responsible for initiatives such as "Amman Healthy City" and implementing the tobacco inspection manual for law enforcement officers, most of whom are smokers.

This results in a lack of controls and weak enforcement of regulations which weaken prevention policies and reinforce the normalization of tobacco in society.

Towards a reform of tax and health policies

Experts recommend using taxation as a prevention tool that can increase tax revenues and allocate a portion of them to a fund dedicated to combating smoking.

This national fund would finance prevention actions, awareness campaigns, the strengthening of customs controls, and the expansion of cessation services. Strict compliance with the law, including within public institutions and Parliament, is also considered essential to restore the credibility of anti-smoking policies.

Although Jordan was one of the first countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region to ratify the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004, its commitment to implementing its provisions, particularly Article 5.3, which aims to protect health policies from tobacco industry interests, remains weak.

Experts are calling for transparency mechanisms to ensure that decision-makers are fully protected from tobacco industry interference, in accordance with the requirements of Article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The efforts of civil society and the King Hussein Royal Cancer Centre to monitor this interference are a direct part of this effort to reduce the tobacco industry's influence in the country's public policies.

International bodies support Jordan's anti-tobacco goals

Recently, Jordan released the fifth edition of the Tobacco Industry Interference Index at the Royal Society for Health Education, under the patronage of Princess Dina Mired.[3]The latter stated that smoking represents a growing threat to the health of children, young people and women, and described the fight against smoking as a national and ethical responsibility.

Minister of Health Ibrahim Bdour stated that the 2023-2024 report supports the sixth objective of the National Tobacco Control Strategy 2024-2030, in accordance with the directives of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein to protect public health and limit smoking in all its forms. He also referred to Public Health Legislation No. 47 of 2008 and its amendments.[4]The report, which aims to raise awareness and provide tools to counter tobacco industry interference, was produced in partnership with national and international health organizations. It shows a slight improvement in the situation regarding the protection of public policies from the tobacco industry lobby. This progress remains modest, however, and is more the result of the adoption of a new text in this area.

Leslie Rae Ferat, Chair of the Global Alliance Against Tobacco, praised Jordan's efforts. Amal Eid Ireifij, Chief Executive of the Royal Society for Health Education, emphasized the importance of civil society and youth in resisting the influence of the tobacco industry.

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[1]Mohammad Ersan, Tobacco sales in Jordan: short-term revenue gains and long-term losses (infographic), AmmanNet, published September 30, 2025, accessed October 1, 2025

[3]Jordan News Agency, Jordan launches fifth tobacco industry interference index report, published September 29, 2025, accessed October 1, 2025

[4]AmmanNet, Princess Dina Mired: Confronting the Smoking Epidemic is a National and Moral Responsibility That Cannot Be Postponed, published September 29, 2025, accessed October 1, 2025

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