Abu Khalaf added to "Al-Mamlaka" on Monday that the plan includes intensifying field tours in public parks, installing guidance signs, implementing awareness activities, and deploying morning and evening inspection teams in cooperation with security services.
The tours focus on the most frequented sites and times that witness a high number of visitors, especially during evening periods and official holidays, based on complaints and observations received by the Municipality.
According to Abu Khalaf, legal proceedings against violators begin with a warning and may reach the issuance of a violation ticket in accordance with applicable regulations, while violations related to the Public Nuisance Prevention Regulation No. 83 of 2024 are referred to the Amman Municipality Court judge to determine the due fines.
She emphasized that the plan does not aim to increase the number of violations, but rather to enhance compliance and protect park-goers, especially children and families, from secondhand smoke, and to reduce the risks of charcoal, ash, and hookah waste that may cause fires.
Regarding mobile hookah renters, Abu Khalaf explained that they are dealt with in coordination with the competent authorities within the Municipality, confirming that these practices do not fall within the applicable legal frameworks.
As for smoking inside parks, the responsibility for dealing with it is distributed among the concerned authorities; the Ministry of Health handles jurisdiction related to smoking, while the Ministry of Interior and security services carry out their role in maintaining security and safety, in addition to the Municipality's role within its powers.
In a related context, Abu Khalaf revealed the existence of four smoking cessation clinics affiliated with the Municipality, which provide awareness and health counseling services, assess the condition of smokers and their degree of nicotine dependence, and develop plans to help them quit, in addition to periodic follow-up to reduce the likelihood of returning to smoking.
The Municipality measures the effectiveness of the clinics' services through the number of visitors and beneficiaries and their level of satisfaction, noting that indicators during recent months show responsiveness and an increase in the level of awareness among citizens.
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan had directed the Ministries of Health and Interior to strictly prevent the entry of hookahs into parks and public facilities, to preserve the safety of their visitors and their right to recreation, and to safeguard the general appearance of these sites.
