Smoke-free homes in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic - a nationwide cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: Secondhand smoke exposure causes serious health problems. Banning smoking in public venues decreases exposure to secondhand smoke. However, the implementation of smoke-free rules in a private setting (including homes) is largely voluntary. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of voluntary smoke-free home rules in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to identify factors associated with the voluntary implementation of smoking bans at home. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2022 with a nationally representative sample of 1090 individuals aged ≥18 years in Poland. Data were collected using a computerassisted web interviewing (CAWI) technique. The research tool was an original questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study. RESULTS: Nationally, 60.6% of individuals had total ban on smoking in home (100% smoke-free home rules), 34.0% had implemented a partial smokefree home rule and 5.4% had not implemented any smoke-free home rules. Over three-quarters of non-smokers (76.8%) and only one-fifth of smokers (20.7%) had adopted a full smoke-free home rule. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, males (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.22-2.22, p < 0.01), non-smokers (OR = 13.78, 95% CI: 9.80-19.38, p < 0.001), respondents who had higher education (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.15-2.14, p < 0.01) as well as those who lived alone (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.52-3.90, p < 0.001) had higher odds of having a 100% smoke-free home rule. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of smoke-free home rules in Poland. Less than two-thirds of the Polish population has adopted a total smoke-free home rule, with significant gaps between smokers and nonsmokers. Information on current voluntary smoke-free rules will be useful for further implementation of the smoke-free law in Poland. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(1):84-95.

Awareness of Tobacco-Related Diseases among Adults in Poland: A 2022 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey.

Warning about the dangers of tobacco use is a key element of tobacco control policy. The COVID-19 pandemic may impact public perception of the health risks of tobacco use. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of tobacco-related diseases among adults in Poland, as well as to identify sociodemographic factors associated with awareness of tobacco-related diseases. This cross-sectional survey was carried out in March 2022 on a representative nationwide sample of 1090 adults in Poland using the computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) technique. Lung cancer was the most recognized tobacco-related disease (92.7%), followed by COPD (89.7%) and myocardial infarction (84%). Three-quarters of the respondents (76.8%) were aware that smoking causes stroke and 51% were aware that smoking increases the risk for type 2 diabetes. Out of 9 factors analyzed in this study, female gender, an age of 50 years and over, and being a non-smoker were significantly associated with a higher awareness of tobacco-related diseases. This study showed an increase in public awareness of smoking-related diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. While awareness of lung cancer and COPD was very high, there are still significant gaps in the awareness of the non-respiratory effects of tobacco use.

Awareness of Tobacco-Related Diseases among Adults in Poland: A 2022 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

Warning about the dangers of tobacco use is a key element of tobacco control policy. The COVID-19 pandemic may impact public perception of the health risks of tobacco use. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of tobacco-related diseases among adults in Poland, as well as to identify sociodemographic factors associated with awareness of tobacco-related diseases. This cross-sectional survey was carried out in March 2022 on a representative nationwide sample of 1090 adults in Poland using the computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) technique. Lung cancer was the most recognized tobacco-related disease (92.7%), followed by COPD (89.7%) and myocardial infarction (84%). Three-quarters of the respondents (76.8%) were aware that smoking causes stroke and 51% were aware that smoking increases the risk for type 2 diabetes. Out of 9 factors analyzed in this study, female gender, an age of 50 years and over, and being a non-smoker were significantly associated with a higher awareness of tobacco-related diseases. This study showed an increase in public awareness of smoking-related diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. While awareness of lung cancer and COPD was very high, there are still significant gaps in the awareness of the non-respiratory effects of tobacco use.

The Prevalence of Tobacco, Heated Tobacco, and E-Cigarette Use in Poland: A 2022 Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

Monitoring tobacco use on a regular schedule is a basic tool of tobacco control policy. This study aimed (1) to assess the current prevalence and patterns of tobacco and e-cigarette use, as well as (2) to identify socioeconomic factors associated with smoking behavior among adults in Poland. This cross-sectional study was carried out in March 2022 on a nationwide, representative sample of 1090 adults in Poland. The computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) technique was used. Daily tobacco smoking was declared by 28.8% of respondents (27.1% of females and 30.8% of males; p = 0.2) and 4.2% were occasional smokers (4.2% of females and 4.3% of males; p = 0.8). Most of the current smokers (62.1%) smoked regular cigarettes and 25.2% smoked hand-rolled cigarettes. The prevalence of daily e-cigarette use was 4.8% (4.0% among females and 5.6% among males; p = 0.2). Daily heated tobacco use was declared by 4.0% of respondents (5.1% of females and 2.9% of males; p = 0.07). Age, having children, and educational level were significantly associated with current daily tobacco smoking. This study revealed a high prevalence of tobacco and e-cigarette use among adults in Poland. The presented data underscore the importance of further improvements in adopting a comprehensive tobacco control strategy in Poland.

Rola Wojskowej Inspekcji Sanitarnej w zdrowiu publicznym

Introduction and objective: Experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries could form the basis for the reform of public health institutions. Systemic changes in the health care sector require an accurate mapping of the potential of public health institutions in Poland. The aim of the study was to characterize the Military Sanitary Inspection (MSI), and to analyze the tasks in the field of public health carried out by the bodies of the MSI for 1) members of the armed forces of the Republic of Poland and civilian employees of the army, and 2) the general population. Material and methods: Data on public health tasks performed by the Military Sanitary Inspection in peacetime were collected and analyzed. The analysis also included activities carried out by the MSI in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Three areas of activities in the field of public health carried out by the MSI were identified and described: 1) statutory tasks of the MSI, as the tasks of the MSI (activities on behalf of the general public);2) activities of the MSI carried out for members of the armed forces of the Republic of Poland, civilian employees of the army and military structures;3) activities carried out by the MSI in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: The Military Sanitary Inspection is an important institution of the health care system in Poland in the field of public health. Due to the variety of areas of operation, the provision of sanitary and epidemiological safety of soldiers in the armed forces and civilian military personnel requires the development of procedures adjusted to changing environmental conditions.

Factors Associated with Attitudes towards Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in Poland: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in 2020.

We aimed to assess attitudes towards the influenza vaccine and factors associated with a willingness to vaccinate against seasonal influenza in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic (flu season 2020/2021). This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out between 5 and 15 November 2020 on a representative nationwide sample of 1052 individuals aged 18+ in Poland. Of the respondents, 5.5% (95% CI: 4.3-7.0%) declared that they had already got vaccinated against influenza and 13.4% (95% CI: 11.4-15.6%) declared a willingness to vaccinate against influenza during the 2020/2021 season. Out of nine different factors analyzed in this study, only three were significantly associated with attitudes towards influenza vaccination. Participants aged 75 years and over (OR = 5.82; 95% CI: 2.63-12.85), as well as participants aged 60-74 years (OR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.30-4.54), compared to those aged 19-29, had significantly higher odds of having a positive attitude towards seasonal influenza vaccination. Respondents who define themselves as completely religious unbelievers (OR = 4.34; 95% CI: 1.79-10.55), as well as Internet users (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.30-3.47), had higher odds of having a positive attitude towards influenza vaccination. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of adults in Poland who already got vaccinated or declared a willingness to vaccinate against influenza remains low. This also applies to high-risk groups.