Yesterday, the parliamentary health commission voted unanimously to prepare a law banning smoking in public places. A bill has been prepared by the former parliament. It has not come into force because of earlier elections. Numerous changes, however, will be implemented in the bill. It won’t be banned to smoke in one’s own car, there won’t be a total ban on cigarette advertising which will be possible in B2B magazines. The project provides for a ban on smoking in health centers, schools, means of public transport, restaurants, pubs, at bus stops and railway stations, or in elevators. The bill provides for special rooms for smokers to be provided in buildings.

Smoking in public places will be fined with PLN 100 (EUR 28). Entrepreneurs who fail to adjust buildings to new regulations will pay up to PLN 20,000 of fine.

Many EU countries have already implemented ban on smoking in public places, including Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Portugal, Island, Finland, Lithuania and Eastland.

(PLN 1 = EUR 0.282)