Jordan sees surge in cancer cases, smoking rates

In a joint press conference held by the Ministers of Government Communication and Health, a series of critical government decisions were discussed, with a focus on public health concerns.

The Minister of Health revealed a continuous increase in the number of cancer cases in Jordan, with over 8,000 new cases being recorded annually.

He also highlighted alarming statistics regarding smoking rates in the country, stating that Jordan ranks first globally in terms of individual cigarette consumption and is classified among the highest countries in the world for smoking rates.

The minister further noted that smoking rates in Jordan have seen a significant rise from 2004 to 2019 and continue to increase.

He also called on women in Jordan to quit smoking shisha, due to the rising cancer rates among them linked to this habit. He pointed out that a single 45-minute shisha session is equivalent to smoking three packs of cigarettes.

In discussing the financial burden of cancer, the minister warned that the cost of treating cancer in Jordan is expected to exceed JD 500 million by 2030. He also expressed concern over the uncontrolled rise in cancer cases since 2015, predicting that the number of cases will surpass expected figures by more than 50 percent in the coming years.

These figures underscore the urgent need for enhanced public health measures and anti-smoking initiatives to address the growing health crisis in Jordan.