SS 13.30-15.00 Special sessions

THE POLISH TOBACCO CONTROL LAW - PROSPECTS FOR TOBACCO CONTROL POLICY

Poland is a country where the epidemic of tobacco-related diseases, especially among middle-aged men, has reached one of the highest levels ever recorded anywhere in the world (Murray, Lopez 1994). This situation is the reason for mobilisation of efforts directed at alarming and assuring the co-operation of the state in the campaign for controlling the health consequences of tobacco consumption.

The Tobacco Control and Health Protection Act, passed by the Sejm on 9 November 1995, and signed by the President of Poland on 11 January 1996, is undoubtedly one of the most important pieces of legislation leading to improvements in health of the Polish population, and serving as an example for the remaining countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It came into force on 1 May 1996 amid widespread public interest.

The passing of the document is a great success for all public health advocates. The fight, however, does not end here. Now, it is most important to bring the word of the law alive. Certainly this is one of the most significant challenges in the field of public health in Poland for the next years.

Smoke Free Europe Conference Abstracts - 19 SEP 1996

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