The World Health Organization (WHO) called on four countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Oman) to impose higher taxes on tobacco and nicotine products in order to reduce their consumption.

The WHO pointed out that imposing a tax increase on these products has proven effective in reducing consumption, but tobacco and nicotine products in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are still relatively cheap and widely available.

Tobacco is still a major public health concern in the region, and according to the WHO's latest report, approximately 19 percent of adults in the Eastern Mediterranean Region currently use tobacco.

This percentage amounts to approximately 92 million people, including 82 million men and 9.5 million women.

WHO indicated that these four countries are experiencing an increase in tobacco consumption.

The WHO's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al-Mandhari emphasized that taxation of tobacco plays a vital role in reducing tobacco consumption and that the organization is committed to supporting countries in implementing data-driven policies and taking the necessary steps to protect public health.

WHO reaffirmed its intention to continue supporting countries in the region to achieve the global target of reducing tobacco use by 30 percent by 2030.