The burning issue: What is the anti-smoking policy?

On May 22, 2024, the Ombudsman for Human Rights (Ombudsman) in cooperation with NGOs, in particular the Brain Disease Foundation, organized a seminar entitled "Smoking problem - smoking addiction and challenges for anti-smoking policy." The meeting was aimed at discussing the effects of nicotine addiction and proposed measures to reduce this problem in Poland.

The RPO pointed to the lack of a long-term and consistent anti-smoking policy in Poland, which contributes to the high number of deaths related to tobacco-related diseases - about 83,000 people a year, equivalent to the population of a city the size of Jelenia Gora. Statistics show that 28.8% of Poles smoke daily, and this number is growing, especially among children and adolescents.

In view of the above, the RPO appealed to the Prime Minister to place this problem under special supervision and refer the matter to the relevant ministries. The conclusions of experts and social organizations indicate the need to take a number of measures to reduce the social effects of nicotine addiction.

Expert recommendations include:

Anti-tobacco education:

• Introducing a long-term program of anti-tobacco education and promotion of healthy behavior, targeting the youngest elementary school students and preschool children.
• Education should be age-appropriate and based on modern educational tools, taking into account social media.
• Involving teachers, parents and caregivers in promoting nicotine-free environments.

Support for addicts:

• Provide access to specialized behavioral intervention support, medical clinics and reimbursed products effective in treating addiction.
• Anti-smoking clinics available onsite and remotely.
• Development of modern guidelines for PCPs and mandatory minimum anti-smoking intervention.
• Introducing harm-reduction programs for people who do not improve with replacement therapy and drug treatment.

Limiting the availability of nicotine products:

• Mandatory verification of the age of the buyer by sellers and sanctions for non-compliance.
• Introducing licenses for the sale of nicotine products and raising the minimum age to purchase them from 18 to 21.
• Steady increase in tobacco taxation.
• Banning the sale of plastic, disposable e-cigarettes and eliminating flavored e-cigarettes from the market.

Product quality control:

• Mandatory testing of the composition of novelty tobacco products, e-cigarette liquids and nicotine sachets before they are placed on the market at the expense of the importer or manufacturer.

Prohibition of advertising and promotion:

• A complete ban on advertising and promotion of nicotine products and a ban on the display of these products at points of sale.
• Central coordinating center for anti-smoking policy:
• Establish a central center responsible for coordinating tobacco control policies, monitoring the consumption of nicotine products and evaluating tobacco reduction activities and services.

The RPO appeals to the Prime Minister to take an interest in these problems and make recommendations to the relevant ministries for effective implementation of the anti-smoking policy.

Source: RPO