Short report
A surveillance summary of smoking and review of tobacco control in Jordan
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* Corresponding author: David W Brown dbrown6@cdc.gov
1 Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan
2 Consultant to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
3 Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Globalization and Health 2009, 5:18 doi:10.1186/1744-8603-5-18
Published: 1 December 2009Abstract
The burden of smoking-related diseases in Jordan is increasingly evident. During 2006, chronic, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for more than 50% of all deaths in Jordan. With this evidence in hand, we highlight the prevalence of smoking in Jordan among youth and adults and briefly review legislation that governs tobacco control in Jordan. The prevalence of smoking in Jordan remains unacceptably high with smoking and use of tobacco prevalences ranging from 15% to 30% among students aged 13-15 years and a current smoking prevalence near 50% among men. Opportunities exist to further reduce smoking among both youth and adults; however, combating tobacco use in Jordan will require partnerships and long-term commitments between both private and public institutions as well as within local communities.