The Prevalence of Tobacco and E-Cigarette Use in Poland: A 2019 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Monitoring of tobacco use is one of the key tobacco control activities. This study aimed to assess the current prevalence and patterns of tobacco and e-cigarette in Poland as well as to investigate socioeconomic factors associated with cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2019, on a representative nationwide sample of 1011 individuals aged 15+ in Poland. Daily tobacco smoking was declared by 21.0% of participants; 1.3% of participants were occasional tobacco smokers, and 10.7% were former tobacco smokers. Heated tobacco was used by 0.4% of participants. Ever e-cigarette use was declared by 4.0% of participants and 1.4% were current e-cigarette users. A higher proportion of daily smokers was observed among men than women (24.4% vs. 18.0%; p < 0.0001). The age group 30 to 49 years, of a lower educational level and living in a medium-sized city (between 20,000 and 500,000 residents), was significantly associated with current daily smoking. This is the most up-to-date study on the prevalence of smoking in Poland. Further tobacco control activities are needed to reduce tobacco use in Poland.

Voluntary Smoke-Free Home Rules and Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in Poland: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Nonetheless, there are a number of factors that could impact public attitudes towards the adoption of smoke-free rules. Of particular significance are data showing that the prevalence of daily smoking among adults Poles (aged 15 and over) fell from 31% in 2011 to 21% between 2011–2019 [ 23 ]. With a lower national rate of adult smoking, it is reasonable to assume that there will be increasingly fewer households where smoking continues to be allowed indoors.…”

“…Data for this study were provided by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate: a Polish government agency responsible for regular monitoring of tobacco use and prevention policies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in September 2019 with a nationally representative sample of 1011 individuals aged 15 and over [ 23 ]. Data were collected by a specialized survey company using a computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) technique, on behalf of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate [ 26 ].…”

“…Poland has made substantial progress in tobacco control in the past decade, with the adoption of smoking bans in public places, restrictions on advertising and marketing, text health warnings and other broad-based actions in 2010 [ 22 ]. Between 2011 and 2019 the prevalence of adult daily smoking (aged 15 and over) decreased from 31% to 21.0% [ 23 ]. However, it is not known whether the broad-based policy interventions of 2010 and the resulting changes in tobacco use trends have influenced the voluntary adoption of smoke-free rules in private homes.…”

Self-reported secondhand smoke exposure following the adoption of a national smoke-free policy in Poland: analysis of serial, cross-sectional, representative surveys, 2009–2019

“…Since 2009, the prevalence of adult smoking in Poland has dropped by 30%, to a current low of 24.4%. 13 In this context of lowered smoking rates the smoke-free policy has enjoyed strong public support. According to the Public Opinion Research Centre, a majority of the public (74%) supported the introduction of an extensive public smoking prohibition in 2010.…”

“…14 All interviews across the six survey waves were carried out by a specialised survey company on behalf of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate. 13 Participants and public involvement Participants in this study were not involved in the development of the design, recruitment. Results will be disseminated via publication in an open access journal.…”