( M S I 36 )
Changing Demographics
Ahmad Abbadi IFMSA - Jordan
ahmad.o.abbadi93@gmail.com
medical students worldwide | MM 2017, Montenegro
Smoking Tobacco has been a part of the Jordanian culture for more than twenty years. At the time, serving cigarettes on silver trays was one the optimal traditions to show generosity in weddings and at funerals. Occasionally, some large farms were exclusively planting tobacco for industrial use. Even though tobacco was known to be a contributor to many diseases, people were not aware nor educated enough. After the World Health Organization (WHO) released the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), majority of tobacco companies found refuge and investment options in less developed countries where the governments were in debt or in need of financial support and the legislations were not strongly protective of health rights. Unfortunately, within the past twenty years, several tobacco companies have opened their establishments in Jordan. As a result of direct investment and support by some governmental institutions in Jordan, tobacco companies found strong foundation and made it more challenging for Public Health advocates to counteract the disadvantageous results. Due to the deteriorating situation, the prevalence of male smokers has reached high levels of more than 60% of adult males in Jordan. The number of Female smokers went up to reach 10% in a matter of four years. The data clearly reflects the destructive effects of tobacco industries on the society’s health and the financial burden to educate, and advocate, and rehabilitate everyone affected. It had been a tough challenge, but the passionate work of multiple NGOs has manifested incredible changes. Dr Maria Christina, delegated by WHO, has done an outstanding work in Turkey in the field of Tobacco which facilitated an initiative to create an alliance of several NGOs to collaboratively fight tobacco.
istry of Health (MOH), have joined hands with the WHO and together we managed to take actions on multiple levels. The work was led by Royal Health Awareness Society as Chair of the alliance. The other participating NGOs have worked on different responsibilities defined among them. King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) took the initiative to build the Road Map on Tobacco Control for Jordan with MOH and WHO. They identified 13 points to work on following a plan that aims to decreases the number of smokers by 2020. Additionally, IFMSA-Jo has been an integral force in the alliance providing volunteers to any NGO upon request. The end result of this alliance was a significant change in the Jordanian Law regarding tobacco use and investment. The new legislations guarantee a defense mechanism and eliminated subtle loops that were manipulated earlier by Tobacco companies. For example, tobacco use is now prohibited in public areas with a fine that can reach up to 1,000 to 3,000 Jordanian Dinars (1277 to 3831 Euros). Also, tobacco advertisements are prohibited in all forms, even on social media. Besides, any form of tobacco products are prohibited from sale within 250 meters of any health or educational institution, including selling individual cigarettes. These laws and legislations cannot bring change to the current demographics if we, as a community, do not implement them. Thus, we in IFMSA-Jo are now assisting the governmental institutions in implementing the new laws by reporting any unlawful tobacco advertisements, conducting regular site visits, and following up regarding any other penalties and violations. We hope in the next couple of years to witness a clear drop in the number of smokers in Jordan. With the strong reinforcement of the legislation and continual follow up of the NGOs, our dream of “a smoke-free Jordan� can become a reality. Every person has a role to play: If you are a smoker, quit now; if you are a decision maker, refuse the lobbying of tobacco industry and work for a smoke-free Jordan; and if you are a non-smoker, help those in need and spread awareness of the epidemic harm of tobacco. The change needs a strong will, action, and determination, and if we harness it for a good cause, we will be unstoppable.
We, Amman Greater Municipality (GAM) and Minwww.ifmsa.org