Introduction

In 2015, one quarter of Polish residents aged over 15 years smoked every day (24%). The percentage of smokers is slightly smaller than in previous editions of the study. Despite consistent policy to reduce smoking, the percentage of smokers in the adult population is still quite high. The aim of this study is to follow the trends of smoking and availability of tobacco based on the results of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) between 1995 and 2015.

Material and methods

For the purposes of the article, a secondary analysis of ESPAD data collected in Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy, Norway and Great Britain was conducted.

Results

Current tobacco use in Poland in 2015 was recorded at 24.8%, which means a decrease by 7.2% compared to 1999, the year of the highest smoking prevalence (32%). The highest percentage of smokers during 30 days preceding the survey was recorded in Italy (37.1%). In Norway a spectacular reduction in the percentage of people smoking cigarettes during 30 days preceding the survey was observed from 35.5% in 1995 to 9.7% in 2015.

Discussion

The decline in the use of tobacco by young people observed in Poland is in line with the trend observed in other European countries. These positive changes can be, among other things, attributed to the implementation by most states of recommendations resulting from the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The strategy that probably played the most important role in the case of young people was the increase in the prices of tobacco products.

Conclusions

It seems that a consistently pursued policy aimed at limiting the use of tobacco brings desirable results in the case of young people. However, it should be noted that, in addition to the policy of limiting the availability of tobacco, the impact on changes in tobacco-related behaviour may have wider cultural and social changes.