Anja
29 Sep 2006 / #1
Tobacco smoking has become one of the most important death factors in Poland. Every year about fifty thousand of Poles die of premature death from post smoking illnesses such as lung cancer or heart attack. 47% of Polish men and 23 % of Polish women over sixteen are addicted to nicotine. Around 10 million of Poles smoke fifteen to twenty cigarettes a day. Almost 5 million people have been smoking for over twenty years. It is estimated that Polish children smoke 3 to 4 billion cigarettes every year. Tobacco is the only, legally sold, carcinogenic substance not just in Poland but worldwide.
Not only are negative consequences of the habit of smoking restricted to tobacco smokers; they also affect nonsmokers who inhale tobacco smoke. Children, who are put in risk of being passive smokers, are threatened by respiratory system diseases, asthma and chronic middle ear diseases. There is also strong evidence linking tobacco smoking with other serious illnesses such as, for example leukemia. 40 % of compulsive smokers will die before they are 65 whereas among nonsmokers only 15% will not reach this age. To end this horrifying statistics, we must admit that antismoking trend has finally reached Poland. New fashion, brought from USA and Western Europe, has found itself an important place in trendsetting and life style of Poles.
Gradually more and more people in Poland become aware of the importance of healthy living, and the impact which smoking has on their physical, mental and, last but not least, economic condition.
In order to reduce health consequences of smoking, economic foundations of health policy, based upon Health Protection Act of 1995, have been implemented in Poland. Smoking has been banned from public institutions such as universities, offices, cinemas, hospitals etc. It is not allowed to smoke on public transport and at the airports. It is no longer possible to purchase a pack of cigarettes at the university campuses or in hospital kiosks. Owners of public cafes and restaurants are obliged to allocate a non-smoking section in their facilities. Soon, following an example of some European Union countries, an act banning smokers from all pubs and restaurants is to be passed. Smoking has also become more expensive nowadays, which might warn off potential buyers. Tobacco companies, following European Union regulations, are obliged to mark cigarettes packs with visible warnings against health risk connected with smoking. Plenty of organizations, health protection initiatives and governmental bodies get involved in antismoking campaign, propagating healthy lifestyle, enhancing awareness of harming effects of tobacco use and abuse.
On the other hand, tobacco companies do not stop in constant efforts of influencing the target consumers, mainly young Polish people, with their marketing strategies. The war goes on. Hopefully, the new laws and regulations, that are to be implemented in Poland on the course of adjusting its policy to European Union standards, will help win more tobacco-free space, at least on legislative level.
Anja
Not only are negative consequences of the habit of smoking restricted to tobacco smokers; they also affect nonsmokers who inhale tobacco smoke. Children, who are put in risk of being passive smokers, are threatened by respiratory system diseases, asthma and chronic middle ear diseases. There is also strong evidence linking tobacco smoking with other serious illnesses such as, for example leukemia. 40 % of compulsive smokers will die before they are 65 whereas among nonsmokers only 15% will not reach this age. To end this horrifying statistics, we must admit that antismoking trend has finally reached Poland. New fashion, brought from USA and Western Europe, has found itself an important place in trendsetting and life style of Poles.
Gradually more and more people in Poland become aware of the importance of healthy living, and the impact which smoking has on their physical, mental and, last but not least, economic condition.
In order to reduce health consequences of smoking, economic foundations of health policy, based upon Health Protection Act of 1995, have been implemented in Poland. Smoking has been banned from public institutions such as universities, offices, cinemas, hospitals etc. It is not allowed to smoke on public transport and at the airports. It is no longer possible to purchase a pack of cigarettes at the university campuses or in hospital kiosks. Owners of public cafes and restaurants are obliged to allocate a non-smoking section in their facilities. Soon, following an example of some European Union countries, an act banning smokers from all pubs and restaurants is to be passed. Smoking has also become more expensive nowadays, which might warn off potential buyers. Tobacco companies, following European Union regulations, are obliged to mark cigarettes packs with visible warnings against health risk connected with smoking. Plenty of organizations, health protection initiatives and governmental bodies get involved in antismoking campaign, propagating healthy lifestyle, enhancing awareness of harming effects of tobacco use and abuse.
On the other hand, tobacco companies do not stop in constant efforts of influencing the target consumers, mainly young Polish people, with their marketing strategies. The war goes on. Hopefully, the new laws and regulations, that are to be implemented in Poland on the course of adjusting its policy to European Union standards, will help win more tobacco-free space, at least on legislative level.
Anja
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