Development of the law:

According to a study by L Joossens and M Rawon the progress in tobacco control in 30 European countries, Poland was one of the first countries in Europe to adopt smokefree legislation in public places in the 1990s but has lagged behind since then.

The law on the protection of the public against the effects of tobacco use of 1995 was amended in 1999 and provides a smoking ban in rooms in work establishments and public places, except for separate smoking rooms.

Smoking is also prohibited in public transport on the base of internal regulations and organisational arrangements.

In hospitality venues that have more than one room, smoking is allowed in separate rooms. In one-room establishments, smoking is allowed in designated areas.

It is our understanding that there is a problem of enforcement of the law, particularly in the hospitality sector.

In March 2008, a parliamentary initiative for a comprehensive ban on smoking in all enclosed workplaces and public places, including the hospitality sector, was tabled in the parliamentary health committee. It would need three readings in the lower chamber and one reading in the upper chamber to become law.

Useful links:

English translation of the law