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Poland’s Unreasonable Anti-Tobacco Harm Reduction Motions

Instead of recognizing that its current tobacco control strategy is not working, Poland is keeping its blinkers on and taking what is already failing a step further.

Diane Caruana

November 12, 2024

Poland’s Health Minister, Izabela Leszczyna, has recently announced plans to ban synthetic nicotine pouches (NPs) due to alleged rising health concerns. The Ministry of Health is working on a legislation to prohibit the sale and distribution of these products, pending consultation outcomes. While traditional tobacco snus is already banned in Poland and in most countries across the EU, synthetic versions have gained popularity, particularly among younger users. Leszczyna expressed hope that the legislation would be finalized by the end of the year, indicating Poland’s proactive approach in regulating synthetic nicotine to protect public health.

The health minister said that these products contain nicotine levels even higher than conventional cigarettes, posing significant health risks. The proposed legislation would reclassify synthetic nicotine products as medical items, restricting their availability to pharmacies, similar to nicotine gums designed for smoking cessation. Polish health bodies said that this regulation aims to limit their use and address health risks, including cancers of the mouth, throat, and pancreas, as well as cardiovascular problems.

The science on the benefit of NPs as harm reduction tools is undeniable

Studies have shown that nicotine pouches reduce the risks of gum disease, tooth discoloration, and halitosis associated with smoking. Moreover, switching to NPs seems to lessen gum recession and inflammation, as smoking is known to impair blood flow and immune response in the gums.

Meanwhile, in contrast to the above concerns, dentists who have conducted studies on the topic, actually endorse NPs as a safer alternative to smoking, highlighting oral health benefits for smokers who switch. Studies have shown that nicotine pouches reduce the risks of gum disease, tooth discoloration, and halitosis associated with smoking. Moreover, switching to the pouches seems to lessen gum recession and inflammation, as smoking is known to impair blood flow and immune response in the gums. And finally, the absence of combustion products in nicotine pouches eliminates the exposure to tar and other chemicals that contribute to poor oral hygiene, aligning with harm reduction in oral health practices.

To add insult to injury, last month the Polish goovernment announced new excise tax rates on both traditional tobacco and innovative products like heated tobacco. Ironically, the announcement said that the 2021 excise tax increases on tobacco and innovative products have proven inadequate, as rising consumer purchasing power and significant price gaps between tobacco products persist, hence the amendments.

Key changies include: expanding the excise roadmap to cover e-cigarette liquids; narrowing price discrepancies between Polish tobacco products and those in other EU nations; and reducing economic accessibility of tobacco and similar products, especially for young people, by raising prices. Current tax rates will remain effective until February 28, 2025, with new rates taking effect on March 1, 2025.

The consequences of not differentiating between cigarettes and safer alternatives

Alongside other tobacco harm reduction (THR) groups, the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) naturally opposes Poland’s recent decision to raise excise taxes on heated tobacco products and e-liquids, warning it could undermine harm reduction efforts. The tax hike aims to reduce price differences between traditional tobacco and alternatives, when increasing this gap is what would actually make sense. Increasing costs on vaping products can lead to unintended consequences. Research shows that when e-liquid prices rise, many users, particularly young adults, revert to smoking, increasing smoking rates rather than decreasing them.

WVA Director Michael Landl noted that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking, yet the tax treats both similarly. He argued that smokers should be encouraged to switch to less harmful alternatives rather than being pushed back to cigarettes due to higher costs. Additionally, higher taxes disproportionately affect low- and middle-income individuals, making it harder for them to access safer nicotine products.

THR experts have called the tax policy counterproductive, stressing that raising taxes on safer alternatives could deter smokers from switching, ultimately leading to more smoking-related deaths. Poland is being urged to reconsider its taxation strategy, and NP ban, recommending a risk-based approach that keeps safer nicotine alternatives affordable and accessible to promote public health.