Success Factors in the Prevention of Tobacco Smoking in Poland

Abstract

The significant decrease in the number of cigarettes sold in Poland, of smokers in general and of lung cancer cases among men aged 35 to 54 demands an in depth study of how that was achieved. The purpose of analyses undertaken in this article is to identify the reasons for that success and to present Polish testimony on that subject to the audience both at home and abroad. It is worth doing in order to: − record the timeline of achieved results, − appreciate key figures behind this success, − acquire their followers, − show a valuable example to continuators of pro-health activities. Materials gathered in this work were obtained from “prof. Franciszek Venulet” conferences on prevention of tobacco smoking, various publications devoted to this subject as well as first-hand knowledge of specific activities undertaken or inspired by prof. dr hab. Witold Zatoński, by Fr. prof. dr hab. Czesław Cekiera and by their colleagues from Maria Skłodowska-Curie Institute of Oncology in Warsaw, from the “Health Promotion” Foundation and from the Department of Social Psychoprophylaxis at John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin.