Smoking among adolescents in Jordan: Prevalence, associated factors, and its relation to mental health outcomes

Adolescent smoking in Jordan remains a pressing public health issue, with waterpipe use emerging as the most common form and increasing with age across different nationalities. Smoking, whether in the form of cigarettes, waterpipe, or e-cigarettes, was associated with increased vulnerability to a range of mental health issues and diminished health-related quality of life. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted and evidence-based approach, including developing school-based prevention and control programs, incorporating social competence and social influence curricula, enforcing existing tobacco laws, and introducing updated regulations in response to emerging trends and evidence, particularly targeting flavored products. Furthermore, prevention and control strategies need to implement targeted interventions that address both the psychosocial roots of smoking and its consequences.