Introduction:
The aim of this study is to assess the changes in lung cancer mortality in Poland, being one of the highest in Europe, in relation to changes in smoking prevalence by the level of education.

Methods:
Data come from the Central Statistical Office. Data on education are collected during the census surveys and covers years 1994-2012. The standardized mortality rate ratio (SMRR) is used to assess relative risk with higher education level as a reference category.

Results:
Lung cancer mortality trends in men show a significant decreasing tendency in all education categories. SMRR increases due to decline in the level of education in all analysed periods (1994-1996, 2000-2002 and 2010-2012) and in the most recent period reached the value of 7.5 at age of 20-44, 5.4 at age of 45-64 and 2.6 at age of 65-79 for the lowest education. Lung cancer mortality trends in women show a decreasing trend only among the youngest women; in other age groups, mortality increases. SMRR increases due to decline in the level of education in all analysed periods. For women with the lowest education level SMRR amounts 10.5 at age of 20-44 and 3.3 at age of 45-64 in the most recent period. Among oldest women with basic education SMRR is lower in 1994-1996 (SMR = 0.6).

Conclusions:
In Poland, there is a relationship between smoking prevalence and education. Education is a strong determinant of the risk of lung cancer. Public education should be one of the strategies to reduce the health consequences of smoking.

Funding:
The work was done as part of the statutory activities of the MSCI. Authors declare no conflict of interest.