The Krakow City Council has officially repealed its local resolution designating specific public spaces as smoke-free zones. This decision, aimed at streamlining local ordinances with national Polish legislation, removes the redundant municipal ban on smoking and vaping in public parks and transit stops.
According to Krakow City Councilor Łukasz Franek, legal experts determined that the 2017 local resolution overstepped and duplicated existing national laws. Under Poland’s unified national regulations, smoking traditional cigarettes, using e-cigarettes, or utilizing novel heated tobacco products remains strictly prohibited at public transport stops nationwide. Therefore, local-level duplication was deemed legally unnecessary and was subsequently withdrawn.
Despite the national ban remaining firmly in force, local residents report that the prohibition at public transit stops is frequently ignored. Councilor Łukasz Gibała highlighted that many citizens view the restriction as a “dead law” due to a perceived lack of intervention and enforcement by municipal guards.
To address these compliance gaps, Gibała has petitioned the Mayor of Krakow to launch a targeted public awareness campaign. The proposed initiative aims to educate residents about the ongoing national ban and foster a healthier environment at public transport hubs.
