Jordan launched the fifth edition of its Tobacco Industry Interference (TII) Index Report at the Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS), under the patronage of HRH Princess Dina Mired and in the presence of Minister of Health Dr. Ibrahim Bdour.

The 2023–2024 report tracks and exposes how the tobacco industry attempts to influence public health policy. It highlighted a two-point improvement in Jordan’s score, now at 80%, largely credited to the adoption of the National Tobacco Control Strategy 2024–2030. Yet, the report cautions that industry interference remains extremely high.

National Commitment to Tobacco Control

In her opening remarks, HRH Princess Dina Mired emphasized that tobacco poses a growing threat to children, youth, and women, describing the fight against smoking as both a national and ethical responsibility.

Dr. Ibrahim Bdour, Minister of Health, stressed that the report directly supports the sixth objective of Jordan’s National Tobacco Control Strategy, aligning with the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II to safeguard public health and reduce tobacco use in all its forms.

International recognition came from Ms. Leslie Ray Fratt, CEO of the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control (GATC), who praised Jordan as a regional model for monitoring tobacco industry interference. Dr. Amal Areij, Director General of RHAS, underscored the crucial role of civil society and youth in defending public health.

About the Report

The report was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the GATC, and Jordanian civil society organizations, including: Cancer Control Office at King Hussein Cancer Center, Alliance of Jordanian Universities Against Tobacco and Smoking, Jordanian Anti-Smoking Society, Tobacco Free Jordan, and EMPHNET.

The Tobacco Industry Interference Index serves as both a monitoring tool and a policy guide, aligned with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), helping governments reduce unnecessary engagement with the tobacco industry.

Panel Discussion and Way Forward

The launch concluded with a high-level panel discussion featuring HRH Princess Dina Mired, experts from participating civil societies. Panelists analyzed findings and proposed recommendations to reinforce tobacco control, limit industry influence, and strengthen accountability.

EMPHNET’s Contribution

EMPHNET played a central role in both preparing and presenting the report, reflecting its long-standing commitment to advancing tobacco control in Jordan and across the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

This contribution builds on EMPHNET’s earlier leadership in regional capacity-building on tobacco industry monitoring, in collaboration with the University of Bath’s Tobacco Control Research Group and the United Against Tobacco and COVID project. The project, which engaged Jordan alongside Iraq, Palestine, and Egypt, worked to raise awareness of tobacco’s health risks, challenge cultural norms around tobacco use, and strengthen evidence for policy and advocacy.

Through these initiatives, EMPHNET continues to work closely with governments, academia, and civil society to integrate tobacco control more firmly into national health agendas. Its efforts are laying the groundwork for stronger advocacy, evidence-based policymaking, and regional leadership in reducing tobacco industry interference.