[Changes in tobacco smoking patterns in Poland in the years 1976, 1986 and 1990]

The changes in the structure of tobacco smoking in 1976, 1986 and 1990 in representative samples of Polish population were compared, and the public opinion on the role of smoking in the development of cancer of the respiratory system. The purpose was to define the groups which need especially health education, and also to define the connection between cancer awareness and smoking habit. It was found, in 1990 in comparison with 1976, that there was a 6% significant decline in total numbers of smokers caused by a 18% slump in percentage of smoking men. Despite the fact that women were more frequently convinced of causative relation between tobacco smoking and cancer, the percentage of female smokers has increased by 4%. The most heavy female smokers were women with university-level education and the "white collars", in spite of their frequent opinion that smoking can cause cancer. It is, thus, advisable to design new methods and ways for health education that would allow for psychological and lifestyle factors associated with smoking habit of Polish women.