Khaberni - The Higher Population Council warned of the significant health and economic implications of tobacco use in Jordan, noting that more than half of Jordanians aged 15 and over consume tobacco in various forms, and 83% of the users started smoking before the age of 24.
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, which occurs on May 31 each year, the Council stated, "Exposing the Feigned Allures - Combating Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction" highlights the marketing strategies targeting adolescents and young adults through various flavors and attractive packaging.
According to the Council's data, males constitute 71% of tobacco users in Jordan, while females represent 29%, and 38% of the smokers started using tobacco before the age of 18.
The Council noted that the lower-income groups are most susceptible to cigarette smoking, explaining that the poorest smokers spend on cigarettes what amounts to 25 times what they spend on health, 10 times what they spend on education, and about one and a half times what they spend on food.
It added that the average monthly expenditure on cigarettes is 78 Jordanian dinars per smoker, which affects the ability of low-income families to meet their basic needs, including food, medicine, education, and loan repayments.
In terms of health, the Council pointed out that 10,755 cancer cases were recorded in Jordan in 2022, noting that three of the most common types of cancer in the kingdom are closely linked to smoking. The cost of cancer treatment is estimated at about 350 million dinars annually, expected to rise to more than 500 million dinars by 2030.
The council affirmed that tobacco use not only poses a health burden but also represents an economic and social challenge that exacerbates cycles of poverty and illness, calling for intensified efforts to reduce smoking and protect public health and improve quality of life for individuals and families.
