Smoking epidemic in Jordan: 42% Smoking Rate

On June 14th, according to Jordan Times, Ghaith Owies, a Jordanian health ministry official stated that approximately 9,500 people in Jordan die each year from smoking. He also emphasized the importance of controlling the spread of e-cigarette advertisements on social media platforms.

According to Oweis, Jordan's smoking problem can be described as an "epidemic," causing an annual economic loss of around 160 million Jordanian dinars (approximately 1.6 billion RMB). Latest statistics show that 66% of men and 25% of 13 to 15-year-old children smoke in Jordan, resulting in an overall smoking rate of 42%.

Smoking specialist Dr. Mohammad Hassan Al Tarawneh has expressed deep concern over Jordan's smoking rate. He has also emphasized the importance of regulating tobacco advertising, particularly e-cigarette advertisements, on social media platforms.

This violates Jordan's Public Health Law, as outlined in Article 54 of Public Health Law No. 47 of 2008.

No individual or public or private entity, including the media, may print, display or publish any advertisement to promote any tobacco product or distribute any promotional brochure, tool or material introducing its product.

It is understood that Jordan allows the retail sale of e-cigarettes, but with certain restrictions such as compliance with notifications, registration and licensing requirements, location-based sales restrictions, and a minimum legal age requirement.

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A Health Ministry official in Jordan has described smoking as an "epidemic.