Ministry to launch national campaign against smoking

AMMAN — Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani said on Thursday that the ministry will enhance its media efforts to support national initiatives aimed at combating smoking and reducing its severe health and economic impacts.

"This will be achieved through the creation of a national awareness campaign that highlights the dangers of tobacco use and the importance of addressing it in all its forms," he added.

During a meeting on Thursday with the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Jordan Jamila Raabi, Momani reviewed the findings of the national survey on tobacco use prevalence, released in February, and emphasised the critical role of media in raising public awareness and combating smoking.

Momani said that, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and WHO, the ministry will develop a comprehensive media strategy to tackle smoking. He emphasised the importance of media institutions in educating the public on the health risks of tobacco use.

He noted that official media outlets will be mobilised to raise awareness about smoking's health risks, promote adherence to tobacco control laws, enforce smoking bans in public spaces, encourage smoking cessation clinics, and advocate for physical activity.

Raabi highlighted that while Jordan has the necessary laws and strategies in place to combat smoking, the effective implementation of these measures requires a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach. She stressed that 80 per cent of deaths in Jordan are attributed to chronic diseases linked to tobacco use and reiterated WHO’s commitment to fully supporting Jordan’s national tobacco control plan.