The Polish government on Tuesday adopted a bill that will see a ban on sales of poor-quality coal used for heating homes as the country steps up efforts to fight smog.

Anyone flouting the ban will face a fine of up to PLN 500,000 (USD 148,000, EUR 120,000) or up to three years in jail under the amendment to the law.

According to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), out of the 50 European cities most affected by smog, 33 are in Poland. The WHO estimates that around 50,000 Poles die every year due to illness caused by air pollution.

The government last month launched a drive to improve the thermal efficiency of homes.

The announcement of the drive came on the same day the European Court of Justice ruled that Poland had infringed air quality laws between 2007 and 2015, when the previous government was in power.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki declared in December that tackling air pollution would be one of his government’s priorities.

Morawiecki also announced that the 33 most affected cities would each gain their own dedicated programme aimed at reducing the impact of smog.

(pk/gs)

Source: PAP