Smoking rates in the Middle East kingdom of Jordan have become the highest in the world amid what public health advocates say is widespread interference in policy-making by multinational tobacco companies. More than eight out of 10 Jordanian men smoke or regularly use nicotine products including e-cigarettes, according to a government study carried out in 2019 in collaboration with the World Health Organization. Jordanian men who smoke daily consume an average of 23 cigarettes a day, the survey found.

A Guardian investigation of tobacco industry conduct in Jordan has found:

• Tobacco lobbyists, including from British American Tobacco (BAT), are regularly involved in debating regulations for their products in Jordan to an extent that anti-smoking campaigners say is inappropriate.
• Jordan ranked second in the world for tobacco company interference in government, according to analysis by a civil society group.
• Claims that government officials were lobbied by tobacco industry executives on how they should implement public health legislation alongside offers of access to corporate social responsibility money.
• Philip Morris International has paid to refurbish schools in Jordan, provide children with school bags and run “career development” sessions for young people.
• PMI also featured on the social media feeds of the Jordanian prime minister, promoting its economic contribution to the country.