New statistics reveal that Arab countries record some of the highest smoking rates globally. Jordan tops the list, with nearly 36% of adults smoking, followed closely by Lebanon at more than 34%. Egypt comes next at around 25%, while Algeria, Kuwait, Tunisia, and Iraq each report between 19% and 21%. These numbers highlight the scale of the health and social challenge facing the region, as smoking causes millions of deaths worldwide each year and places additional pressure on fragile healthcare systems.

In Lebanon, the problem is even more alarming. According to figures from the Tobacco Atlas and the World Health Organization, more than one-third of Lebanese adults smoke—roughly 1.5 million people. Here, smoking is not just a personal habit but a deeply rooted social practice. The waterpipe, or argileh, is a fixture in cafés and family gatherings, widely seen as a symbol of togetherness. This cultural normalization has accelerated uptake among young people and women alike.

Several factors contribute to Lebanon’s high smoking prevalence:

- Social traditions: The waterpipe is standardized in restaurants, cafés, and social events, widely accepted even among women and youth.

- Price and taxes: Cigarettes and tobacco products are cheaper than in many countries. International health agencies repeatedly recommend higher taxation.

- Weak regulation and enforcement: Laws exist but are poorly applied, especially in public spaces, and enforcement of age restrictions on tobacco sales is weak.

- Dual consumption: Many smokers combine cigarettes with waterpipes, flavored tobacco, or even vaping, amplifying health risks.

- Economic and political crisis: Poverty, unemployment, and stress drive people to smoke as a coping mechanism.

Challenges and Opportunities

Tobacco control faces several obstacles in Lebanon and the wider region:

- Resistance from powerful tobacco companies with political and social influence.

- Limited funding for awareness campaigns and cessation programs.

- A lack of reliable, regular monitoring of smoking prevalence.

- The economic collapse, which often relegates public health to a secondary concern.

Still, there are opportunities:

- Effectively enforcing WHO recommendations: higher tobacco taxes, bans on indoor smoking, and nationwide awareness campaigns.

- Targeting high-risk groups, especially youth, women, and low-income communities.

- Expanding support programs such as cessation centers, hotlines, and psychological assistance.

- Engaging civil society and the media to reshape cultural attitudes toward smoking.

The health and economic burden in Lebanon is staggering. Smoking is estimated to cause around 11.5% of all deaths in the country, at a time when the healthcare system is already crippled by repeated crises. The direct and indirect economic cost of smoking exceeds $140 million annually—roughly 2% of Lebanon’s GDP. For a country already struggling with severe fiscal deficits, this represents a crippling weight.

Dr. Ziad Khansa, a pulmonologist and public health specialist, explains: “Smoking in Lebanon cannot be seen as just an individual issue—it is a societal crisis. Beyond the cultural and social normalization of the waterpipe, weak regulation, poor enforcement of smoke-free laws, and the economic influence of tobacco companies have all allowed the epidemic to spread unchecked.”

Khansa adds that combating smoking requires genuine political will: “This starts with higher tobacco taxes, a full ban on smoking in public spaces, accessible cessation programs, and sustained awareness campaigns targeting youth, who are most at risk of starting.”

The crisis is compounded by Lebanon’s economic collapse, which has driven many to smoke as a form of escape from daily stress. This link between hardship and tobacco use makes the problem harder to tackle. For many, cigarettes or argileh have become a “refuge,” despite their well-known dangers.

A National Burden

Lebanon now faces an urgent need for a comprehensive strategy that balances tough regulation, cessation support, and cultural change. The stakes are no longer just about individual health—they are about a national burden threatening future generations in a country already weighed down by overlapping crises.