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Tag: jordan

  • Jordan’s Tobacco Use “Alarming” 

    Jordan’s Tobacco Use “Alarming” 

    Jordan’s Minister of Health, Firas Al-Hawari, announced the results of a national survey about the nation’s tobacco use, which he called “alarming.” Speaking with Jordanian adults 15 and older, the results were:

    • 71.2% of males and 28.8% of females smoked
    • 38.6% of people started smoking before the age of 18
    • 33.8% of smokers light up within the first five minutes of waking up
    • 53% supported a tobacco tax increase, including 33% of smokers
    • 43% smoke tobacco daily (65% of men, 17% of women)
    • Smokers average 22 cigarettes per day
    • 14.3% smoke shisha
    • 4.1% used heated tobacco products (of them, 82.6% were men)
    • 7.2% use e-cigarettes (of them, 79% are men) 
    • 59% of smokers said they want to quit
  • Tax Hike Sparks ‘Chaos’ in Jordan Market

    Tax Hike Sparks ‘Chaos’ in Jordan Market

    Photo: Rodworks

    Jordan’s recent tobacco tax hike has sparked turmoil in the market, reports Roya News.

    Smokers reported price differences of JOD1 ($1.41) or more for the same brand across various shops. Some suspect traders have been exploiting the tax increase to boost their profits.

    Critics are urging the government to standardize prices.

    On Sept. 12, the government approved an amended special tax system for 2024, adjusting tobacco taxes to align with the national strategy to discourage tobacco use.

    The revision aims to curb the spread of electronic smoking devices, particularly among children, and to address the disparities in taxes between traditional cigarettes and their alternatives.

  • Jordan Joins Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade

    Jordan Joins Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade

    Image: konstan/JaRiRiyawat

    Jordan has joined the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade of Tobacco Products, reports The Jordan Times.

    Health Minister Firas Hawari described the step as an important milestone for the success of the National Action Plan 2024-2026, which is part of the broader National Tobacco Control Strategy 2024-2030.

    The Protocol is based on Article 15 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to which Jordan was one of the first countries to accede.

    This article addresses the threats posed by illicit trade and the measures that countries must take to prevent it. The protocol aims to strengthen cooperation between countries, facilitate the exchange of information, and enforce effective measures.

  • Boycotters Urged to Quit Rather than Localize

    Boycotters Urged to Quit Rather than Localize

    Photo: sezerozger

    Health experts are urging Jordanians to quit smoking rather than switch to local cigarettes as product boycotts gain momentum, reports The Jordan Times

    Following the war in Gaza, consumers in Arab countries have called for boycotts of companies that they perceive to be supporting the Israeli occupation. As a result, Jordanian tobacco product retailers and distributors have reported a modest decline in tobacco sales for some international companies.

    Abdel Rahman Shaher, a respiratory doctor, said the boycotts presented a golden opportunity for Jordanians to protect their health and their values.

    “Quitting smoking has numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory illnesses,” Shaher said. “Jordanians have the chance to not only show their solidarity with Gaza, but also prioritize their own wellbeing and contribute to a healthier, smoke-free future.”

    Jordan has one of the world’s highest rates of tobacco consumption, with more than 66 percent of males smoking, according to Muhammad Anees Abdallah, secretary-general of the Jordanian Society for Anti-Smoking. He noted that Jordanians spend JOD1.6 billion ($2.26 billion) annually on cigarettes, alone. “This figure doesn’t include Jordanians spending on shisha, vape and electronic cigarettes,” Abdallah said.

  • Jordan Citizens Complain of High Tobacco Prices

    Jordan Citizens Complain of High Tobacco Prices

    Image: Skórzewiak | Adobe Stock

    Citizens in Jordan have raised concerns about increasing tobacco product prices despite government assurance that taxes will not be raised and no new taxes will be imposed, reports Jordan News.

    The price of tobacco products has reportedly increased significantly without prior warning to consumers. Many smokers have expressed frustration, stating they cannot afford to pay the new prices and criticizing the government for failing to control the price increase.

    Dirar Al-Harasees, chairman of the financial committee in the lower house, expressed surprise by the hike as well, calling on the government to clarify the reason behind the increase and questioning who decided to raise the prices.  

    Manufacturing companies are not authorized to raise prices unilaterally without approval of the House of Representatives to impose new taxes, according to Harasees.  

  • Government Denies Cig Tax Increase Rumors

    Government Denies Cig Tax Increase Rumors

    Image: Cristi | Adobe Stock

    No new taxes will be imposed on any goods or services in Jordan, including cigarettes and tobacco, according to the Income and Sales Tax Department, reports Jordan News.

    The department said rumors of an increase are unfounded.

    Previously, Finance Minister Muhammad Al-Ississ confirmed the government’s commitment not to impose any new taxes or increase taxes.

    Al-Ississ expects non-tax revenues to grow by 6.6 percent compared to the re-estimation for 2022.

  • ‘Jordanians Spend More on Tobacco Than Food’

    ‘Jordanians Spend More on Tobacco Than Food’

    Photo: methaphum

    Jordanians spend more on tobacco than on food, reports The Jordan Times, citing the World Health Organization.

    According to the global health body, Jordanian households spend JOD73.6 ($103.80) per month on tobacco-related products compared with JOD27 on fruits, JOD38 on dairy products and eggs, JOD50 on meat and poultry, and JOD42 on vegetables and legumes.

    With 82 percent of men aged between 18 and 69 lighting up, Jordan’s smoking prevalence is the world’s highest. Some 66 percent of men smoke cigarettes and shisha, according to local media agencies. Another 15 percent vape e-cigarettes.