On 4 March 2010, the Polish Lower Chamber (Sejm) voted for the liberalisation of the tobacco control legislation, rejecting the proposal of its Health Committee to introduce a total smoking ban in all enclosed public places. This move falls far short of protecting workers’ health from the harmful effects of passive smoking. The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), together with other members of the international community is shocked and appalled at this backwards step for tobacco control and devastating decision for population health measures in Europe.
***Press Communiqué***
Brussels 23 March 2010
The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) today announced its strong disappointment at the liberalisation of the tobacco control legislation in Poland – a decision that was taken by the Polish Lower Chamber (Sejm) on 4 March 2010. Concerned Polish members of Parliament had been working to strengthen the current law protecting Polish citizens from second-hand tobacco smoke, in particular by the introduction of a smoking ban in public places and the workplace. The public health evidence is clear – a total ban on smoking in all enclosed public places is the only approach to prevent the serious diseases and unnecessary deaths from passive smoking. During an open vote, the lower chamber not only rejected proposals to introduce the ban but weakened the existing law, setting Poland back by decades. This is a severe blow for Polish citizens, particularly those forced to work in conditions with continuous carcinogenic tobacco pollution.
EPHA’s President Archie Turnbull said today, ‘The Polish public, and particularly its workforce, deserves appropriate protection from the harmful activities of others. By banning smoking in public places, the Polish Sejm would demonstrate its commitment to the health of its people and will set an example for many other countries.’
The decision of the Parliament to reject a total smoking ban and to allow smoking in public places such as hospitals, health care facilities and schools of all levels – an issue banned under the previous legislation – is a poor demonstration of Poland’s commitment to its obligations under the international Framework for Tobacco Control and demonstrates the misinformation and misconceptions around the impact of a total ban on smoking in public places. There is no evidence from the countries to have introduced the ban so far, that this leads to significant job losses or economic impact.
This decision marks a backward step for Poland and its citizens – especially the most vulnerable ones who are forced to breathe in polluted air and disease-causing agents. Polish workers and Polish children will pay the highest price. The short and long term consequences will be devastating in terms of increase of tobacco-smoke caused diseases, curative health care costs, loss of productivity and national income.
EPHA will be closely watching the vote this week in the Poland’s Senate, its upper Chamber, and is confident that Polish elected representatives will make the right choice to protect its citizens and show leadership for Europe. A vote from the Senate against the decision of the Sejm would send the bill back to the lower Chamber for revision.
***NOTES FOR EDITORS****
EPHA is the European Platform bringing together public health organisations representing professional groups, patients, health promotion and disease specific NGOs and other health associations. EPHA receives financial support from the European Commission, via the Public Health Programme of the European Union.
Further information:
For further information in English please contact
Alison Abrahams at [->a.abrahams@epha.org] or on +32 (0)22 333 872
For further information in Polish please contact
Dorota Sienkiewicz at [->d.sienkiewicz@epha.org] or on +32 (0)22 333 874
European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) Rue de Trèves 49-51 B-1040 Brussels Tel: +32 2 230 30 56 Fax: +32 2 230 38 80