Can I smoke in public places?
No in many places: numerous smoking bans apply. The anti-tobacco act bans smoking tobacco products and e-cigarettes in many public places, including bus stops, playgrounds, catering venues, workplace rooms, healthcare facilities, schools and school grounds, and on public transport. A venue owner may designate a smoking room, but isn't obliged to. Sale of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches is allowed only to people aged 18+ (the ban on sale to minors also covers nicotine-free products). Work is under way on further restrictions (including on disposable e-cigarettes) — some are for now only drafts, so it's worth following the current rules.
📋 The rules
- Smoking (also e-cigarettes) banned in many public places
- Bus stops, playgrounds, venues, workplaces, public transport
- An owner may designate a smoking room (not obliged)
- Sale only to people aged 18+ (also nicotine-free products)
- Further restrictions (disposables): partly still drafts
🔓 Exceptions
- Designated smoking rooms: where the owner creates them
- Private places (e.g. your own flat): outside the public ban
- Current and planned bans: some rules still in legislation
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Smoking in a place under a ban is an offence carrying a fine (as a rule up to 500 zł). Selling tobacco products, e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches to a minor is a serious breach carrying a high fine. A venue owner who doesn't mark the smoking ban or tolerates smoking in a prohibited place is also liable. To avoid a penalty: smoke only in permitted places or designated smoking rooms, respect the bans at bus stops, playgrounds and in venues, and when selling such products — strictly check the buyer's age. Also follow new rules, as the scope of bans is expanding.
📎 Official sources
- ISAP · Act on protecting health from tobacco use →
- Ministry of Health · E-cigarette restrictions →
- Chief Sanitary Inspectorate →
❓ Frequently asked
Where am I not allowed to smoke cigarettes?
Among others, at public-transport stops, on playgrounds, in catering venues, in workplace rooms, in healthcare facilities, in schools and on their grounds, and on public transport. The bans also cover e-cigarettes.
Does the ban cover e-cigarettes?
Yes. The anti-tobacco act put e-cigarettes on a par with tobacco products regarding the smoking ban in public places. So wherever traditional cigarettes can't be smoked, you also may not use e-cigarettes or heated-tobacco devices.
From what age can I buy cigarettes and e-cigarettes?
Sale of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches is allowed only to people who have turned 18. The ban on sale to minors also covers e-cigarettes and nicotine-free products. The seller has the right and duty to check the buyer's age.
What's the penalty for smoking in a banned place?
Smoking in a place under a ban is an offence carrying a fine, as a rule up to 500 zł. Selling tobacco products and e-cigarettes to minors is heavily penalised. A venue owner who tolerates smoking can also be liable.
Are disposable e-cigarettes banned?
Work is under way on banning the sale of disposable e-cigarettes and on further restrictions, but some of these rules are for now only drafts that haven't fully entered into force. What does apply is the ban on selling any e-cigarettes to people under 18.
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