Polish Spirits Industry Opposes New Alcohol Law Amendments

The Polish Spirits Industry Employers Association (Związek Pracodawców Polski Przemysł Spirytusowy) has criticised a draft amendment to the law on upbringing in sobriety and combating alcoholism. The association argues that the proposed definitions of "ethyl alcohol" and "agricultural ethyl alcohol" could create legal uncertainty, and that the broadened rules on promotion, advertising, labelling and dedicated alcohol stalls in shops would cause more problems than benefits. It calls for a new impact assessment and a revision of the draft.

In the Sejm, the Health Committee is examining the same amendment. Competing parliamentary proposals – one from the Left and another from the Poland 2050 movement – seek to ban all alcohol advertising (including non‑alcoholic drinks), prohibit sales at fuel stations and during night hours, and give municipalities greater powers to limit sales. Critics say the measures conflict with EU law. Former PiS MP Janusz Kowalski, now independent, announced plans to request a CBA investigation into the proposals.