Poles and stimulants in 2021 Surprising – positive – results of the National Health Test of Poles

The National Health Test of Poles by Medonet is the largest health survey on the Polish Internet. In 2021, over 340 people took part in it. participants. Last year was marked by a pandemic, which certainly affected the customs and behavior of Poles. However, as the test results show, these difficult times have stimulated a positive change in stimulants in many groups.

1. It would seem that the pandemic is conducive to an increase in alcohol consumption, but it turned out that the group of Poles declaring complete abstinence increased
2. The percentage of active smokers of all tobacco products also decreased
3. 4 percentage points the number of people has also decreased declaring smoking cigarettes every day
4. We are also pleased with the decreasing percentage of people using legal highs among the youngest group
5. Respond before it’s too late. Get to know your Health Index!
6. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

The material was created as part of the #KOCHAJSIEBIE social campaign, encouraging Poles to change their habits – caring for mental and physical health that was severely strained during the pandemic. The action is carried out jointly by Medonet, Onet and United Nations Global Compact Network Poland.

How often do we drink alcohol?

The results of the Polish National Health Test 2021 were, in many respects and to a large extent, influenced by the still prevailing coronavirus pandemic. This also applies to the consumption of alcohol. However, the direction of the changes may surprise you. And it is positive.

Although only 19 percent. (24% of women and 13% of men) of Poles declare complete abstinence, i.e. by 8 percentage points. more than in 2020.

The percentage of people drinking alcohol several times a week also decreased – from 23 to 21 percent.

On the other hand, by 1 percentage point. the number of people who drink alcohol every day has increased.

Every day, alcohol is consumed by as much as 15 percent. men – the same as in the previous year, by 1 percentage point. on the other hand, the number of women who drink it every day has increased – to 5 percent.

Alcohol is drunk several times a week by every fourth man and every seventh woman.

Expert comment

In relation to the NTZP2020 report, what is good is the decline in the percentage of Poles using alcohol, despite the pandemic – by 9 percentage points among women, less among men, but we expected something completely different. It seemed that being confined to their homes would cause even more people to drink alcohol, but we have a positive surprise.

What is worrying, however, is the fact that we have a very high percentage of people who drink every day or several times a week – more than a quarter of women and a third of men report alcohol consumption. Therefore, it seems that educational activities are necessary to convince Poles that such drinking is risky, even if it is one drink a day.

Further part below the video.

What alcohol do we drink?

Beer remains the most popular alcohol among men. 89 percent of them are used. respondents (a decrease by 3 percentage points compared to 2020). Women most often choose wine, 83% do so. of them (no change compared to 2020). The passion for vodka decreased, in the case of men by 5 percentage points, in the case of women the decrease was 6 percentage points.

How often do we drink selected alcohols? Poles most often choose beer from among alcoholic beverages. 5 percent drinking people use them every day, 10 percent. even several times a week. It reaches 5% for vodka several times a week. drinking men and 1 percent. drinking women, and as much as 2 percent. men drink it every day (increase by 1 percentage point compared to 2020).

How often do we smoke cigarettes?

As in the case of alcohol, the pandemic year 2020 was a good opportunity to quit smoking for some of the respondents. The proportion of active smokers of all tobacco products fell from 32% to 27%.

However, the proportion of heavy smokers is still high. Attachment to addiction was declared by 19 percent. subjects – 18 percent women and 21 percent. men.

On average, 46 percent. Poles declare that they have never smoked any tobacco products (53% of women and 39% of men), while 27% have smoked in the past but have quit (20% of women and 31% of men).

From the group of smokers as much as 64 percent. declared that he smokes every day. However, in this case we are also going in the right direction. Compared to the previous year, this percentage dropped by 4 percentage points.

The percentage of active smokers decreased, as well as daily smokers. And how many Poles tried to get rid of addiction in 2021?

An unsuccessful attempt to quit smoking was declared by 54 percent. of the respondents, among women this percentage was 51, and among men 57 percent. In turn, an average of 20 percent. active smokers (23% of women and 17% of men) have never tried and do not plan to quit the addiction in the future.

Expert comment:

When it comes to addiction to tobacco products, I am disappointed that so many people still smoke – 26%. women and 29 percent. men, although the good news is that 77 percent. smoking women and 82 percent. smoking men have made attempts or are planning to do so in the future to break the addiction. In my opinion, a solution would be the return of the smoking clinic and pharmacological help, perhaps even financed by the National Health Fund.

Who reaches for boosters?

The 2021 National Health Test of Poles also includes information on stimulants. Their consumption has not changed compared to 2020, 4 percent of them reached for them. subjects.

However, this percentage varies greatly by age. People aged 25-34 most often use designer drugs, in 2021 it was done by 9%. respondents, just like the year before. On the other hand, the percentage of those using these stimulants decreased in the youngest group. Last year, it was done by 6 percent. people in the group of 18-24, it is by 2 percentage points. less than in 2020

Expert comment:

The consumption of legal highs, especially among young people, is quite scary – as many as 6% of them have dealt with them. people after 24 years of age and 9 percent. people between 25 and 34 years of age. However, we are glad to see the year-on-year decline in this youngest age group.

Also read:

1. Is a popular hangover a common myth? [WE EXPLAIN]
2. When is a hangover dangerous to my health, and what can happen? The doctor says straight
3. These drinks damage the liver. It’s not just about alcohol