Jordan's recent accession to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products represents a significant milestone in the nation's fight against tobacco and smoking, said Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Eastern Mediterranean. Ratified on July 25 and set to take effect on October 23, this move aligns with royal directives and the goals of Jordan's national strategy to combat all forms of tobacco use. Balkhy praised this step in an official letter to Health Minister Firas Hawari. She highlighted Jordan's accession as a critical contribution to improving public health and enhancing societal well-being across the Kingdom. Balkhy attributed this success to the ongoing cooperation between the WHO, the Jordanian government, and other strategic partners. In her letter, Balkhy emphasized that joining the protocol is a strong incentive to boost national, regional, and international efforts to combat the illicit trade in tobacco products. She reaffirmed the WHO' s full support for Jordan in implementing the protocol and advancing tobacco control policies. The Protocol is grounded in Article 15 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which Jordan was among the first countries to endorse, noted Balkhy. This article addresses the dangers of the illicit tobacco trade and outlines the necessary measures states must take to combat it. The Protocol seeks to strengthen cooperation between countries, facilitate information sharing, and implement effective measures to prevent tobacco smuggling. By joining the Protocol, Jordan is now positioned to participate in the fourth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, scheduled for 2025. This involvement will allow Jordan to contribute to regional and global discussions on tobacco control strategies, enhance international cooperation, and exchange expertise in monitoring and controlling smuggling networks, she continued. She said Jordan's accession is a key indi cator of success in the National Action Plan 2024-2026, part of the broader National Strategy to Combat Tobacco and Smoking 2024-2030. "The Protocol's implementation will bolster public health efforts and protect communities from the harms of illicit tobacco trade." The Protocol is an international treaty designed to eradicate all forms of illicit tobacco trade through a series of cooperative measures. It defines "illicit trade in tobacco products" as any illegal activity related to the production, shipment, distribution, or sale of tobacco products. Source: Jordan News Agency