In September, bags with drinks that look like fruit juices for children, but with completely different contents, appeared in the Polish retail network &ndash ; cocktails with vodka. The photo of the lying "juices" was distributed on social networks and caused many comments: does this make alcohol seem more harmless? As well as – does this not encourage children and young people who want to buy juice to consume alcohol?
Although the sale of alcohol to under-18s is prohibited in Poland, politicians reacted and criticized the new packaging. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: "This cannot work here".
They are everywhere – the small bottles of alcohol
As Warsaw municipal councilor Krzysztof Daukszewicz told DV, plastic packaging gives people the opportunity to buy and drink alcohol more easily and inconspicuously. The situation is similar with the so-called "cartridges" from 100 and 200.
They are available everywhere in Poland, and due to their size they are easy to transport and give alcohol addicts discreet and convenient access to what they are addicted to. In Poland, over one million such bottles are sold daily, especially in the early morning hours.
According to Daukšević, the problem with these bottles is big – they are found daily on the benches, at the bus stops, in the pots. The expert says that he would not be surprised if they start to be found in playgrounds as well, as they would be convenient for parents who are alcoholics.
Between four and five million Poles drink excessively
The Health Institute in the city of Czestochowa is of the opinion that the number of alcohol addicts is between four and five million people. Those who need therapy are probably around one million, but only 15 percent of them are treated.
"More and more of the alcohol addicts in Poland are the so-called functional alcoholics who manage to hide their addiction for a long period of time," says therapist Dr. Katarzyna Ivanicka to DV. "Just 15 years ago, the patient profile looked like this – married man, with secondary education, aged 45-55. While today more and more young patients are coming to doctors' offices."
This is happening, although overall the number of young alcoholics is falling. But the number of women who drink is growing. "Often the ratio between men and women in group therapy is 50:50," Ivanicka points out.
From vodka to beer
During the last two decades, the way Poles drink has changed. During communist times, vodka was preferred, until the 1990s saw a gradual shift to lower-alcohol drinks such as beer and wine. Today, light beers are definitely the most popular.
But this does not mean that Poles drink less alcohol. "In 2022, 9.3 liters of pure alcohol were drunk per person, while in 2001 the same indicator was 6.6 liters," says therapist Ivanicka to DV. With these data, Poland ranks slightly above the European average, which is 9.2 liters of pure alcohol per person.
Intensive advertising and public pressure
In Polish society, it is still very unusual not to drink alcohol at all, and at work parties, for example, those who order soft drinks are looked at strangely. Only the advertising of beer is allowed, with restrictions, but many advertisements of high-alcohol drinks can also be found on the Internet.
Supermarkets also play a certain role with their promotions, offering, for example, half a liter of vodka for 9.99 zlotys (2.32 euros). But even without the special discounts, alcohol in Poland is relatively cheap.
Addiction experts criticize above all the ease with which alcohol can be obtained – it is sold everywhere. Therefore, local authorities are trying to limit access to alcohol, prohibiting its sale at night. "Legislative changes are needed to ban the sale of small bottles and to introduce restrictions at night," says Warsaw city councilor Daukszewicz. Ivanicka believes that higher taxes should be imposed on alcoholic beverages. "Psychological explanations and pointing out that there is no safe dose of alcohol are also important."