Petition for Unified Action Against Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoking in Jordan

To all Partners in the Global Fight Against Tobacco: A call for action!

We, the undersigned, urgently call upon all stakeholders to unite to address the pressing issue of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure of our children and families in Jordan. As dedicated advocates for public health and the well-being of future generations, we recognize the impact of joint action. We implore your collective resources, expertise, and influence to combat this concerning challenge.

Jordan, a State Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) since 2004, stands resolute in the global effort to combat the scourge of tobacco use. In 2008, Jordan introduced pivotal tobacco control provisions through Public Health Law 47, which underwent significant amendments in 2017, reflecting the nation's steadfast commitment to tobacco control. It is time for all of us to urge the Jordanian government to implement and enforce these commitments.

The data from Jordan shows that timely action on tobacco control is essential. The 2019 STEPs Survey in Jordan unveiled that 41% (around 1.9 million) of adults are smokers (65.3% of men and 16.4% of women). The survey revealed that 78.8% of adults are exposed to second-hand smoke, with 1 in 5 adults exposed at the workplace and 6 in 10 adults (63%, 2.8 million) exposed at home. Additionally, 60.0% of students are exposed to tobacco smoke at home, and 62.4% of students are exposed to it within enclosed public spaces. Furthermore, a recent study funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and conducted by the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, shed light on the concerning prevalence of tobacco use and secondhand smoking among children and adolescents in Jordan