The level of effectiveness of Polish legislation relating to health protection against the consequences of tobacco use

Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020 Sep 17;33(5):599-610. doi: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01638. Epub 2020 Sep 2.

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to analyze the regulatory environment for tobacco use, with particular reference to changes made in the last 10 years. An attempt was made to answer the question of the extent to which the regulatory environment has a real impact on the achievement of the objective set out in the existing legal provisions, which is to protect the health and rights of the persons concerned. An analytical method was used in the work to assess the application of legal principles. A method of analyzing the current line of jurisprudence was also used. In the process of final evaluation of public utilities, certain functional methods were used. The assessment was subjected to Polish law, within the scope of the currently binding Act on Health Protection Against the Consequences of Using Tobacco and Tobacco Products of 1995. The study states that the provisions of this Act are only a formal guarantee of protection. The liability arising from the application of its standard is illusory because the procedure for imposing penalties is ineffective. The pursuit of any property claims related to violation of the rights of related entities, as envisaged in this Act, is complicated. This does not apply to a case which is not affected by the decision. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(5):599-610.

Keywords: health protection; legal regulations; protection of non-smokers; tobacco; tobacco addiction; tobacco use.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude to Health
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Health Promotion / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Smokers / psychology*
  • Smoking Cessation / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Smoking Cessation / psychology*
  • Tobacco Use / epidemiology
  • Tobacco Use / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Tobacco Use / psychology*
  • Tobacco Use / trends*