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AMMAN — The Higher Population Council (HPC) has warned of the wide-ranging health and economic consequences of tobacco use in Jordan, noting that more than half of Jordanians aged 15 and above use tobacco in its various forms.
The council said that 83 per cent of tobacco users began smoking before the age of 24, highlighting early exposure as a key concern.
Marking World No Tobacco Day, observed annually on May 31, the HPC said the 2026 theme, “Exposing the Deception — Combating Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction”, sheds light on marketing strategies targeting youth through flavoured products and attractive packaging.
HPC data showed that males account for 71 per cent of tobacco users in Jordan, while females represent 29 per cent. It added that 38 per cent of smokers began using tobacco before the age of 18.
The council also said that low-income groups remain the most vulnerable to cigarette consumption, noting that the poorest smokers spend 25 times more on cigarettes than on health, 10 times more than on education, and around 1.5 times more than on food.
It added that the average monthly spending on cigarettes reaches JD78 per smoker, which significantly reduces households’ ability to meet essential needs, including food, medicine, education and loan repayments.
The HPC also noted that Jordan recorded 10,755 cancer cases in 2022, with three of the most common types of cancer closely linked to tobacco use.
It said that the annual cost of cancer treatment is estimated at around JD350 million and is projected to exceed JD500 million by 2030.
The council stressed that tobacco use poses both a serious public health burden and an economic challenge that exacerbates poverty and illness, calling for stronger efforts to reduce smoking rates, protect public health and improve quality of life for families across the Kingdom.
