Videos and photographs from the ceremony on Monday, 22 September, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the UN show Nawrocki taking a small box from an aide and discreetly placing its contents in his mouth, a gesture observers interpreted as placing snus under the lip.
The moment was also captured on the satirical TV program Szkło Kontaktowe on TVN24.
Observers noted that this is not the first time the president has used a nicotine pouch in public – he performed a similar gesture at the end of May during a live presidential debate in Poland.
Critics pointed out the irony of a president opposing health education and the teaching of health awareness to young people while using a nicotine product – a behaviour that drew comparisons to MAGA-aligned figures in the United States who champion personal freedom.
Opposing health education while using nicotine
The incident follows an earlier debate in Poland over Nawrocki’s decision to withdraw his son from optional health classes, raising questions about his stance on public health and youth well-being.
The president said at the time: “Under the innocuous-sounding name of this subject, ideology and politics are being smuggled into Polish schools, and this cannot be allowed. School is primarily a place of learning, but also a space for building respect for culture, tradition, and Christian values, from which our civilization grows.”
Polish Education Minister Barbara Nowacka criticised the move, urging the president to respect the purpose of the curriculum: “You should especially care about children’s health and public trust in teachers, who convey knowledge wisely and sensitively. This subject also teaches addiction prevention, physical activity, mental health, and building respectful relationships - skills that will benefit every student.”
Smoking kills the equivalent of a medium-sized city each year in Poland
According to statistics, around 67,000 people die each year in Poland due to smoking-related illnesses – roughly the population of a medium-sized city – with the majority in their working years.
Overall, about half of all smokers eventually die from diseases caused by tobacco use.
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Source: PR24/TVN24/X/@NawrockiKn/@barbaraanowacka