On 15 November 2010, an amendment to the Act on the Protection of Health Against the Consequences of Using Tobacco and Tobacco Products will come into force. Breaking the ban will incur a fine of 500 zlotys. The ban on smoking tobacco products will apply:

  • on the premises of healthcare facilities
  • on the premises of schools and universities
  • on the premises of organizational units providing social assistance
  • in workplace facilities
  • in cultural and recreational facilities intended for public use
  • in dining and entertainment establishments
  • at public transport stops
  • in sports facilities
  • in publicly accessible places intended for children's play
  • and in other rooms accessible for public use.

In connection with the smoking ban, the amendment requires owners or managers of facilities to properly mark places where smoking is prohibited. Failure to display a smoking-ban sign (in verbal and graphic form) in a visible place will result in a 2,000-zloty fine.

Owners will be allowed to designate smoking rooms, but this will not be mandatory. In dining establishments, one room may be designated for smokers, but it must be equipped with ventilation ensuring that tobacco smoke does not enter other rooms.

The State Sanitary Inspection will be primarily responsible for issuing fines and checking whether the provisions of the new law are being observed. “We inspect dining establishments and other workplaces, and during these routine inspections we will also check whether the new regulations are being followed,” says Jolanta Boroch from the Bolesławiec branch of the State Sanitary Inspection. “We will also issue the fines provided for in the amendment for non-compliance with it.”

The municipal police also have the authority to punish people who violate the smoking ban in public places. While patrolling the city, they will be able to fine people smoking, among other places, at municipal stops or playgrounds. “Until now, we could fine people smoking on the premises of educational and healthcare institutions. The amounts were 50 zlotys and 100 zlotys,” says Kamila Chalewicz from the Bolesławiec Municipal Police. “Now we will also be able to fine people who fail to comply with the new regulations up to 500 zlotys.”

Bolesławiec restaurateurs are prepared for the introduction of the new law. Some banned smoking in their establishments much earlier, including the U Przyjaciół restaurant, Joker bar and Italian Pizza pizzeria. The Willis restaurant will introduce a total smoking ban; until now, it applied only to the lower section. In other restaurants, Sunday will be the last day on which smoking is permitted.

(information: Grażyna Hanaf)