International Resource Center

HomeInternational Overview

Poland: Overview

Consumption

• Approximately a third (32 percent) of the population in Poland smokes cigarettes, with an estimated 38 percent of men and 26 percent of women who smoke.
• Among youth (age 13-15), nearly 19 percent smoke cigarettes, and 7 percent use tobacco products other than cigarettes.

Health consequences

• Smoking kills approximately 70,000 people a year in Poland.
• In 2000, 38 percent of male deaths occurring between the ages of 35-69 were attributed to smoking.
• Among youth (age 13-15), 90 percent are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places and 87 percent are exposed to secondhand smoke at home.

Tobacco industry

International tobacco companies dominate Poland’s cigarette market, holding almost 99 percent of the market share. In 2008, Philip Morris International held 38 percent of market share, followed by British American Tobacco (33 percent), Imperial Tobacco Group (23 percent) and Japan Tobacco (5 percent). In Poland, more than 63 million cigarettes were sold in 2008. Poland is a growing source of illicit cigarettes for other European Union countries.

FCTC status

Poland ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on September 15, 2006.

Tobacco policy status update

Smoke-free environments: Poland bans smoking in workplaces and public places, however the law allows for designated smoking rooms.

Advertising, promotion and sponsorship: Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship is banned with few exceptions. Tobacco companies are still allowed to advertise over the Internet and through promotional discounts.  

Warning labels: Warning labels are text-only and cover 30 percent of the front and 40 percent of the back of the package. Misleading descriptors such as “light” and “mild” are banned.

Tobacco taxes: Poland is obligated to meet tobacco taxation standards set by the European Union. Tobacco taxes remain below the rate recommended by the World Bank (from 65 percent to 80 percent of retail price) that is commonly present in countries with effective tobacco control policies.