Tobacco Consumption in Jordan: Balancing Economic and Public Health Implications

Amman: 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. According to Jordan News Agency, public health authorities are advocating for a structured framework coinciding with World No Tobacco Day 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, highlighted that tobacco use is a primary contributing factor in more than 9,500 deaths annually in Jordan. These deaths are 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, with a gender distribution of 71 percent among males and approximately 29 percent among females. Longitudinal tracking reveals that 38 percent of current tobacco users initiated the habit before age 18, and 84 percent began before reaching 24. Individual monthly expenditure on cigarettes averages JD 78, directly affecting disposable household income. Oweis pointed out 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, resulting in formal warnings, fines, and targeted closures of non-compliant venues. The Ministry has also implemented updated guidelines for retail establishments, mandating that tobacco products be kept in closed storage units or behind opaque screens to minimize product visibility to minors. Retail operators are requi red 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. These clinics handled 21,000 cases over the last two years, recording an average successful cessation rate of 15 percent. Dr. Larissa Al-Uar, Board Member of the Global Antitransparency Coalition and Secretary of the "No to Smoking" Society, highlighted that commercial marketing strategies target younger demographics with specialized flavor profiles and compact product designs, despite containing addictive nicotine levels. Al-Uar emphasized the need for systematic implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and stricter oversight of digital promotional material. She also noted the effectiveness of fiscal measures, such as adjusting excise taxes on tobacco products, in managing demand and generating revenue to offset public healthcare costs. Dr. Nour Obeidat, Director of the Cancer Control Office at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), emphasized that preventative tobacco policies are among the most resource-efficient public health interventions for chronic disease reduction. Established in 2010, the KHCC Cancer Control Office works to integrate preventative healthcare into national oncology strategies. Obeidat noted that tobacco exposure is clinically linked to at least 15 variations of cancer, while high smoking rates necessitate extensive lung cancer screening programs. Consequently, clinical cessation remains a foundational element in improving patient outcomes across chronic disease management protocols.