The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Reducing tobacco smoking is one of the biggest health challenges in Poland. In 1980s Poland reached one of the highest smoking prevalence level in the world. There were 12 mln smokers in that time. In 1990s due to various antismoking interventions, as well as comprehensive policy, smoking prevalence started to decrease. Although since the beginning of 1990s prevalence of smoking has been permanently going down (9 mln smokers nowadays), there is a slight stagnation observed for this trend in the last few years. The national surveys show also increase of the heavy smokers number (>7 FNDT) in daily smokers population. The National Health Fund's program: “Smoking is treatable” (SIT) is the response for the urgent need to strengthen antismoking interventions in Poland and keep the decreasing trend in tobacco smoking.

Methods: SIT is the first comprehensive program in Poland, encompassing three levels of healthcare system: primary healthcare doctors, smoking cessation clinics and reference centers. The implementation of the program was accompanied by trainings on treatment of tobacco dependence conducted by specialists both doctors and psychologists. The program started in November 2005 as a pilot version for one region of Poland. The program procedures include: diagnosis (tobacco dependence diagnosis with FNDT test and assessing motivation to quit) and treatment (pharmacotherapy, telephone consultations performed by specialists from National Quitline, individual psychologist consultation and group therapy).

Results: First assessment (numbers of smokers who attended the program, data about abstinence) will be conducted after 6th month.