A gentler approach to smokers and quitting in Jordan

In calling recently for more attention to be paid to the smoking ‘epidemic’, the president of the Jordan National Anti-smoking Society, Mohammad Shreim, ruled out a struggle against smokers. “…we want them to quit because we love them,” he was quoted as saying in a story carried by The Jordan Times.

Smoking was an ‘epidemic’ that was not yet listed among the health priorities of the local and regional community, said Shreim. The habit was not receiving enough attention as a major threat to health and quality of life.

“There is a dire need for a comprehensive set of cultural, educational and legislative measures that further educate the public on the dangers of smoking and enforce the Public Health Law,” he said.

Increasing the prices of tobacco products alone would not curb smoking among adults if such measures were not accompanied by an “effective” set of regulations.

But he called for engaging smokers in the fight against tobacco. “It is not a struggle against smokers… we want them to quit because we love them,” Shreim said; adding that membership of the society was open to smokers and non-smokers alike.