Smoking in Poland
Smoking is allowed in Poland but tobacco products are regualted and restricted. Based on these regulations, a comprehensive ban on all tobacco advertising including combustable cigarettes is in place. Health warnings on tobacco packaging are required, the minimum legal age for sales is 18 years, and there are also legal restrictions on smoking in public places. Cigarettes are subject to an excise tax of 27.65%, and a total taxation rate of 78.40%. Regarding availability, cigarettes can legally be sold and purchased online. Sales through vending machines are also permitted, and importing them for trade is legal with appropriate license. Prevalence data show that there were 6.9 million adult current smokers in Poland in 2024. Adult tobacco smoking prevalence was 21.2% in 2024, with notable gender differences: 25.5% of adult men and 17.3% of adult women were current smokers. The current smoking prevalence in 2022 was 23.3%. Daily smoking prevalence among adults was reported to be 24.6% in 2023. Smoking-related mortality is also relatively high in Poland. In 2021, tobacco smoking led to 56,127 deaths, including 41,016 men deaths and 15,111 female deaths. This show that smoking accounted for 10.85% of all deaths in the country in 2021, with a higher rate among men (15.34%) than among women (6.04%).
Read articles from Poland
April 08, 2025 by ecigintelligence.com
Growing trend or overreach? Poland joins the crackdown in Europe on disposables
Poland is considering a ban on disposable vapes, following France and Belgium. The proposed legislation aims to prohibit all single-use vapes, raising concerns about a potential shift in European regulations impacting the vaping industry. The ban is part of Poland's effort to reduce youth access to affordable vaping products. Proponents argue it will protect public health, while critics fear it may lead to tax revenue losses and illegal sales. Similar bans in France and Belgium suggest a growing trend in Europe towards stricter regulations on vaping products. The long-term effects of these bans remain uncertain, with debates ongoing about their efficacy in reducing harm.
April 08, 2025 by ecigintelligence.com
Growing trend or overreach? Poland joins the crackdown in Europe on disposables
Poland is considering a ban on disposable vapes, following France and Belgium. The proposed legislation aims to prohibit all single-use vapes, raising concerns about a potential shift in European regulations impacting the vaping industry. The ban is part of Poland's effort to reduce youth access to affordable vaping products. Proponents argue it will protect public health, while critics fear it may lead to tax revenue losses and illegal sales. Similar bans in France and Belgium suggest a growing trend in Europe towards stricter regulations on vaping products. The long-term effects of these bans remain uncertain, with debates ongoing about their efficacy in reducing harm.
March 13, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu
Poland to ban flavoured Heated Tobacco Products
Poland is close to passing a Bill that would ban flavored Heated Tobacco Products. The Senate Health Committee approved the regulation, which prohibits HTPs with non-tobacco flavors and mandates health warnings on packaging. The aim is to make these products less attractive and restrict access. Poland must align with the EU directive aimed at reducing the appeal of these products to children. The legislation, once passed, will have a nine-month transition period for businesses to comply. Additionally, Poland is considering other tobacco and vape regulations, including restricting the sale and use of vapes to minors and increasing taxes on e-liquids incrementally until 2027.
February 10, 2025 by wbj.pl
Polish Parliament Works on Excise Tax Increase for E-Cigarettes and Vaporizers
Planned excise tax hikes on e-cigarettes and vaping devices may lead to product withdrawals from the market. Dr. Krzysztof Koźmiński, head of the Regulatory Impact Assessment Center, questioned the proportionality of the tax change and its potential legal implications, highlighting concerns over fairness and the short grace period for businesses to adapt. The drastic tax increases could push many businesses out of the market, with limited time to adjust to the new regulations.
December 18, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
GFN25 Booking Now Open
Booking is open for the #GFN25 conference in Warsaw, Poland, from June 19-21, 2025. With a focus on effective communication for tobacco harm reduction, the event aims to address misconceptions hindering progress in public health. Keynote presentations, workshops, and panel discussions will engage the audience on this urgent topic. Attendees can also participate in side meetings and the GFN Film Festival. Organizers encourage contributions from the GFN community and offer resources for those seeking inspiration. Stay updated through the #GFN newsletter and social media channels. For more information and registration, visit gfn.events/registration.
November 08, 2024 by tvpworld.com
Poland plans to ban nicotine pouches over health risks
Nicotine pouches containing synthetic nicotine, placed on the gums, have become popular in Poland as an alternative to smoking or vaping. However, health experts warn that they pose significant health risks, including cancers of the mouth, throat, and pancreas, as well as cardiovascular issues. Tobacco-containing pouches, known as "snus," are already banned in Poland. Polish Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna announced on TVP Info that officials are now working on legislation to also ban pouches containing synthetic nicotine.
November 08, 2024 by polskieradio.pl
Poland to ban synthetic nicotine pouches amid health concerns, health minister announces
Poland's Health Minister, Izabela Leszczyna, announced plans to ban synthetic nicotine pouches over health concerns. The ministry is working on legislation to prohibit the sale and distribution of these products.
October 22, 2024 by polskieradio.pl
More young Poles addicted to nicotine, study shows
The recent findings reveal an increase in tobacco product experimentation among 10- to 11-year-olds. Additionally, a study showed that one in four primary school students has tried cigarettes or e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes serve as a gateway to addiction for 7 out of 10 teenagers.
October 21, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu
Poland to add vape tax by end of year
The Polish government plans to extend excise tax to vapes and tobacco heating devices, aiming to align their prices more closely with traditional cigarettes. Led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the Council of Ministers is likely to pass the legislation, despite the original idea of promoting vapes as a safer cigarette alternative by keeping them cheaper. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Finance increased tax rates on various tobacco products. Plans include further tax increases through 2027.
August 28, 2024 by youtube.com
Interview Gerry Stimson & BVTE Global Forum on Nicotine 2024
At the Global Forum on Nicotine 2024, Dr Frank Henkler-Stephani from BVTE had the opportunity to talk to Professor Gerry Stimson. For more than forty years, he has been a pioneer and leading expert on harm reduction in health policy, initially in the field of illegal drugs, where the focus was on preventing HIV and communicable diseases. He later recognised the great potential of e-cigarettes.