Poland’s draft tobacco law, aiming to eliminate nicotine pouches, faces opposition from the agricultural sector and businesses seeking dialogue and balanced regulations.
Essential Export Sector
Employers’ organizations and business associations emphasize the need for broad dialogue and in-depth analysis of the regulations’ impact. They believe well-designed legislation can achieve health goals while supporting market and public finance stability.
Agricultural Significance
The agricultural sector is particularly concerned, with farming organizations highlighting tobacco as a pillar of Polish agriculture and the economy. Poland is the third-largest tobacco producer in the EU, with tobacco products accounting for approximately 11% of agricultural and food exports, generating €4.6 billion annually.
The sector also provides over PLN 28 billion in revenue to the state budget and employment for around 560,000 people.
Development Potential & Government Support
Farmers point to the industry’s development potential in the context of the nicotine products market transformation. Tobacco remains a key raw material for modern products, and Poland could play a significant role, provided regulatory conditions remain stable.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development actively supports the sector, consistently advocating for the protection of tobacco growers’ interests, including financial support and favorable regulations, both nationally and within the EU.
EU Funding and Dialogue
The tobacco sector benefits from substantial support within the Common Agricultural Policy, with over €72 million allocated for non-production-related payments between 2023-2027. The ministry continues dialogue with market participants and monitors the situation to ensure stable sales of domestic raw materials.
Call for Joint Commission
Industry and administration representatives agree on the need for legal predictability and broad dialogue. Business and agricultural organizations propose strengthening the legislative process by establishing a joint parliamentary committee involving health, public finance, economy, and agriculture committees.
Such a forum, they argue, would facilitate solutions that better balance health objectives with economic and fiscal interests.
Inter-Ministerial Team Proposed
Małgorzata Gromadzka, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that an inter-ministerial team is needed to develop solutions considering health aspects, the situation of farmers, and state finances, adding that discussions have begun with the Ministry of Finance, which supports the initiative.
Gromadzka emphasized the ministry’s commitment to public health but not at the expense of 3,000 farms dependent on tobacco cultivation, which also drives the Polish economy, generating increasing tax revenue through growing sales and exports.
Expanding Scope of Team & EU Coordination
Gromadzka announced plans to initiate the creation of an inter-ministerial team, extending its scope beyond tobacco to include other niche crops important to the Polish economy, such as hops and grapes.
She also announced an initiative to establish a group of EU member states to develop common positions on tobacco directives, emphasizing the importance of diversifying crops in the face of agricultural market crises and price declines.
Legislative Concerns & Broader Impact
Robert Dowhan, a member of the Sejm’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, also supports the establishment of an inter-ministerial team and will engage in the process.
Dowhan criticized the oversight of farmers, businesses, distributors, and retailers, arguing their interests and the potential impact of the regulations are being ignored. He suggested a complete ban on tobacco and nicotine products would be more consistent with prioritizing health, rather than fragmented restrictions.
He advocated for education and promoting a healthy lifestyle as a more effective approach.
Military Considerations
Concerns have been raised by military circles regarding the use of innovative products like nicotine pouches by soldiers, particularly in field conditions. They suggest regulations should consider this context and adopt a more balanced approach.
Traditional cigarette smoking is deemed dangerous for the military due to position exposure and fire hazards. Nicotine is seen as a tool for soldiers to cope with hunger and stress, leading to the increasing popularity of smokeless solutions.
Restricting legal sales would likely drive the market underground, leading to the use of untested products from uncertain sources. Education and tightening sales controls are proposed as alternatives to a complete ban.
