Poland alcohol advertising ban faces legislative delays

Legislative efforts in the Polish Sejm to implement a total ban on alcohol and beer advertising are facing delays due to political disagreements within the ruling coalition. Proposed bills from the Lewica and Polska 2050 parties seek to prohibit the promotion of all alcoholic beverages, including non-alcoholic versions marketed under alcohol brands, to reduce impact on youth. The legislation also includes provisions for nighttime prohibition between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, with fines for violations ranging from 30,000 PLN to 1 million PLN.

The PSL party has intervened to delay the vote, citing concerns regarding the impact on the wine industry. This move has drawn criticism from Lewica members, who suggested that the wine lobby influenced the decision.

Industry representatives, including the Association of Brewing Industry Employers-Polish Breweries, warn that a total advertising ban could result in direct economic losses of at least 700 million PLN annually. They argue that such regulations are unnecessary, noting that alcohol consumption in Poland has already seen a decline, dropping from 8.8 liters to 8.3 liters per capita in the most recent recorded period.