Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Amal Ghabayen - The Jordanian National Anti-Smoking Organization disclosed that the percentage of school students who smoke is on the rise.

A recent study conducted by the organization in cooperation with the Ministry of Health surveyed students from 20 schools ranging in age between 13 and 18 years, old and found that 41 percent of the students surveyed smoke cigarettes, the Foundation's Secretary General, Abdul Nasser Hammad, told 'Ammon News.'

Hammad noted that the results of the study, which were sent to the World Health Organization (WHO), found that 26 percent of male students smoke, compared to 15 percent of female students.

Hammad blamed the spread of smoking habits among adolescents on the shortcomings of preventative legal regulations related to the sale of tobacco products to underage children and the lack of effective awareness initiatives by the Ministry of Health.

He called on the ministry to reinforce the role of "affiliated officers" (police officers associated with the Ministry of Health) and empowering volunteers and anti-smoking activists and their coordination with affiliated officers to issue violation tickets to anyone that violates smoking regulations.

Jordanian Law stipulates a maximum jail sentence of 6 months, or a maximum of JD 500 fine, or both punishments to anyone that sells tobacco products to underage children or asks children to buy them cigarettes or allowed them to smoke "argileh." The fine gets doubled in case the violation is recurrent, and the store, restaurant or coffee shop may be closed for a period of 1-3 months.

The law also stipulates a JD 20 fine on underage smokers.