No matter which upper-secondary school we visited, we would see students smoking during breaks in the surrounding area. Some of them are not yet fifteen, and most are under eighteen. According to the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, around 9% of teenagers aged 15–19 admit to smoking cigarettes regularly. Tobacco is one of the most widely used psychoactive substances in the world. It causes strong addiction—stronger than opiates, alcohol and other controlled substances.
According to a study conducted among students of upper-secondary schools in Lubin in 2010 (the Department and Institute of Anatomy at the Medical University of Lublin, 2014), students smoke around one pack of cigarettes per week. The report states: "In response to the question ‘What were the reasons for smoking the first cigarette?’ one-third of older teenagers said they had been persuaded by another person; only 2% of respondents smoked to satisfy their curiosity. This confirms earlier findings that spending time in peer groups stimulates the development of addiction."
The Ombudsman for Children warns that the ban on selling e-cigarettes in Poland is ineffective. One in four teenagers smokes e-cigarettes. At the request of the Ombudsman for Children, the Pollster Research Institute conducted a survey among Polish young people on e-cigarette use. The research found that 34 percent of young e-cigarette users aged 16–17 had been smoking for more than a year, 31 percent for two to five years, and 4 percent for more than five years!
How do underage male and female students afford cigarettes? We are asking you about this in our poll:
Skąd niepełnoletni uczeń ma na fajki?
The Ministry of Health warns that, according to various estimates, the number of deaths in Poland resulting directly from tobacco smoking approaches 100,000 annually. In addition to smokers, people passively exposed to inhaling smoke also fall victim to it.
Professional help with quitting smoking can also be obtained during a consultation with a psychologist or from the Telephone Counselling Service for Smokers. The service operates Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 21:00 and on Saturdays from 09:00 to 15:00. Telephone numbers: 801 108 108 and 22 211 80 15
Advice on quitting smoking can also be found on the website jakrzucicpalenie.pl
Another question is: who sells cigarettes to minors? A reminder for those who break the law: the Act on the Protection of Health Against the Consequences of Using Tobacco and Tobacco Products provides for a fine of up to PLN 2,000 for this offense.
If a student smoked in a place covered by the smoking ban, such as school grounds, the school principal may additionally notify the police, because smoking tobacco products in places covered by the ban is punishable by a fine of up to PLN 500.