A controversial petition has been submitted to Poland’s Ministry of Health, calling for a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol and tobacco products by individuals aged 60 and above, as well as restrictions on their use near vulnerable groups.
Controversial Petition in the Ministry of Health
An anonymous petitioner has submitted a request to the Ministry of Health proposing a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol and tobacco for people over 60, as well as prohibiting the use of such substances near individuals “suffering from or committing prohibited acts under the influence of alcohol.” The proposal highlights that alcohol and nicotine are risk factors for multiple civilizational diseases, harming not only users but also those nearby in terms of mental, emotional, social, and physical health.
Ministry Responds
Tomasz Kuba Sękowski, deputy director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Health, stated that according to the latest evidence, “every dose of alcohol and tobacco smoke affects health, and no level of alcohol or tobacco consumption is safe.” The ministry recommends completely avoiding alcohol or significantly reducing its consumption, as well as avoiding all tobacco products, including heated tobacco, e-cigarettes, and nicotine pouches. However, the ministry emphasized that implementing such a ban for people over 60 is not currently planned.
Do You Need Help?
If you are struggling with addiction or want to learn how to assist someone close, you can contact specialists on duty via these numbers. More information is available on the National Center for Addiction Prevention website .
Source: Gazeta, gov.pl