Declining tobacco control awareness and support among Polish adolescents: Trends from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2003–2022

The findings suggest concerning trends in tobacco-related attitudes and behaviors among Polish adolescents, indicating weakened prevention efforts and a shift towards pro-tobacco norms. The decline in tobacco education, public support for smoke-free policies, and media exposure to anti-tobacco messages highlight the need for renewed public health interventions. Strengthening school-based education, reinforcing smoke-free policies, and regulating tobacco portrayals in media are critical to reversing these trends. Additionally, policy measures such as plain packaging and a ban on tobacco displays at points of sale are necessary to protect future generations from tobacco initiation. Without decisive action, there is a risk of undermining the progress made in tobacco control.