European Parliament Pushes for Expansion of Smoking Ban Areas in Poland

Dec.24.2024
European Parliament Pushes for Expansion of Smoking Ban Areas in Poland
European Parliament calls for expanding smoke-free areas in outdoor spaces like terraces, parks, and beaches, with Polish support but limited government action.

According to the recent report by Polityka Zdrowotna, the European Parliament is urging the expansion of smoke-free areas in places such as restaurant terraces, parks, and beaches. This initiative has received support from Poland, though unofficial information suggests that the Polish government plans to strengthen laws on this issue, they are not actively implementing it.


The EU's new legislation plan aims to reduce the percentage of smokers to 5% by 2040. To achieve this, the European Parliament has passed a resolution to expand smoke-free environments, including banning smoking in places such as parks, beaches, and restaurant terraces. Poland has expressed support for this, but has not shown an immediate intention to tighten laws. According to undisclosed information, the government currently has no plans to introduce stricter regulations.


Despite prior announcements, Poland has yet to launch regulations restricting the sale of e-cigarettes. This issue has been under discussion for nearly a year, and the proposed amendments to the Health Protection Act, which were originally supposed to be debated on December 18th, were intended to include provisions related to e-cigarettes. However, the project once again failed to make it onto the agenda. The Ministry of Health explained that the complexity of the matter has caused delays in progress.


In the revised tobacco law, the planned ban on the sale of snuff was not implemented, with these products only prohibited from being sold to minors. Additionally, the government has also postponed the revision to ban the sale of flavored heated tobacco products.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

China Tobacco Plans CNY 60 Billion Investment in ICBC, Agricultural Bank as Strategic Ties Extend Beyond Equity
China Tobacco Plans CNY 60 Billion Investment in ICBC, Agricultural Bank as Strategic Ties Extend Beyond Equity
China National Tobacco Corporation and several subsidiaries plan to invest a combined CNY 60 billion ($8.7 billion) in share placements by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China as strategic investors. The agreements extend beyond equity investment to corporate governance, banking services and supply-chain finance. The filings also disclose 2025 data on China Tobacco’s tax and profit contributions and industry scale.
Sep.07
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
China’s vape exports showed resilience in the first half of 2026 after a short-term shock from China’s export rebate adjustment. But customs data points to more than a simple recovery: the structure of growth is changing. Vaping devices and atomization hardware emerged as the strongest growth driver, while nicotine-containing vaping products remained broadly stable. Meanwhile, nicotine substitute-related products represented by 6-methyl nicotine expanded rapidly, becoming a new category to watch for both industry and regulators. After the U.S. market went through a cycle of shortages, replenishment and inventory rebuilding in 2025, China’s vape supply chain is entering a new phase of reallocation.
Special Report
Jul.20
BAT Regional Director Fred Monteiro Supports Spain’s Nicotine Rules but Opposes 0.99mg Nicotine Pouch Limit
BAT Regional Director Fred Monteiro Supports Spain’s Nicotine Rules but Opposes 0.99mg Nicotine Pouch Limit
Spanish newspaper El Confidencial interviewed Fred Monteiro, Regional Director for Americas and Europe at British American Tobacco (BAT). Monteiro said BAT supports setting regulatory limits for nicotine products but opposes Spain’s proposed 0.99mg nicotine-per-pouch limit, arguing that such a restriction could affect adult smokers’ transition to alternatives. He said nicotine regulation should be based on scientific evidence and harm reduction principles. Monteiro also said smoke-free products now account for around 25% of BAT’s Americas and Europe business and nearly 30% of its Europe business
BAT
Jul.30
Nicotine Pouches Gain Ground in U.S. Convenience Stores as Vape Unit Sales Fall 14%
Nicotine Pouches Gain Ground in U.S. Convenience Stores as Vape Unit Sales Fall 14%
According to convenience retail publication CStore Decisions, U.S. convenience store tobacco categories are undergoing a structural shift. Based on Circana OmniMarket Total U.S. Convenience data for the 52 weeks ending June 14, 2026, cigarettes remained the largest category with $50.8 billion in sales, but unit sales declined 5.3%. Electronic smoking devices and vaping products also declined, while modern oral nicotine products continued to grow, with nicotine pouch sales rising 29% in dollars and 17% in units. Retailers said changing consumer preferences are reshaping tobacco product assortments at convenience stores.
Regulations
Aug.07
Product | PMI Introduces VEEV inPrime, Bringing an Induction Vaporization Platform to the Next Generation of the VEEV Portfolio
Product | PMI Introduces VEEV inPrime, Bringing an Induction Vaporization Platform to the Next Generation of the VEEV Portfolio
Philip Morris International (PMI) has introduced VEEV inPrime, the next-generation closed-system vape platform featuring the new AdvanceVape Induction System™. Alongside the new induction platform, PMI has redesigned the pods, e-liquid formulations and user interaction experience. According to PMI and official IQOS websites, VEEV inPrime began a phased European rollout between May and June 2026, with products now available in Greece, Estonia, the United Kingdom and Italy.
Jul.14
UK HMRC Urges Public to Report Suspicious Vape Shops in Crackdown on Tax Fraud, Money Laundering and Illicit Tobacco Sales
UK HMRC Urges Public to Report Suspicious Vape Shops in Crackdown on Tax Fraud, Money Laundering and Illicit Tobacco Sales
HM Revenue & Customs is urging members of the public to report vape shops, barber shops and other high-street businesses suspected of tax fraud, money laundering or other illegal activity, with informants not required to provide personal details. HMRC plans more than 30,000 interventions in 2026-27 targeting tax fraud, organised crime and illicit activity, including the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco. The push forms part of a broader UK effort to tackle organised crime on high streets, backed by a £30 million government enforcement programme.
Regulations
Aug.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives