The Ministry of Health unveiled a draft revision of the Education Act amid tight budgets and a drive to curb alcohol use. While the document highlights Poland’s alcohol problem, it withholds what many researchers view as the strongest lever: a full ban on alcohol advertising. The measure is framed as a set of modest tweaks that offer little real uplift to public health. The text even contradicts its own justification, since the rationale cites evidence that supports a full advertising ban. The inconsistency is hard to overlook.
The Ministry of Health Quotes that, but does not implement its recommendations
In its justification the ministry cites World Health Organization guidance that frames prohibitions or strict limits on alcohol advertising as a powerful way to reduce the consumption of high strength drinks and to shield younger people from pressure to drink. The WHO states that introducing prohibitions or extensive limitations on advertising, sponsorship and promotion of alcohol is an effective tool for public health. The ministry, however, stops short of imposing such a ban. The absence of a total ban clashes with the cited evidence and weakens the rationale offered for the amendment.
Disruptive data about beer consumption
The ministry notes that beer is a dominant source of Poland’s alcohol intake. 2023 data place beer at 53.8 percent of total alcohol consumption, rising to about 55 percent in 2024. Yet the draft offers no steps to curb beer advertising or access. Data from the National Center for Fighting Addictions show per capita beer consumption at 87.4 liters in 2023 and 93 liters in 2024. Moreover, sales data reveal that beer is bought in large quantities in the morning, with roughly 2.9 million of the 16 million daily beer purchases occurring before work. These figures underscore the urgency for stronger measures than those proposed in the draft, especially when morning consumption contributes to work impairment among adults.
Alcohol advertising exposes children and adolescents
The reach of beer advertising is identified as a major factor driving youth drinking. While the Ministry acknowledges this risk, it proposes only steeper fines for violations rather than a total ban. Critics argue that this approach tackles symptoms rather than root causes and does little to curb illegal marketing.
Why does the Ministry of Health ignore Experts?
For years expert groups and non governmental organizations have urged stricter controls on alcohol advertising. The government and the Ministry of Health have shown limited responsiveness. Recent public opinion research indicates broad support for a total ban among Poles, including an IBRIS poll from November 2024. A civil petition signed by tens of thousands of Polish citizens was presented to the Sejm, raising hopes that health authorities would embrace meaningful reforms. International bodies such as the OECD also recommend banning sponsorship of sports by alcohol brands and call for broader regulations that limit availability and exposure.
Proposals advocated by addiction specialists and public health advocates were not reflected in the draft. The plan omits the core idea of a complete ban on alcohol advertising, including beer and non alcoholic beer. It also fails to address sale restrictions at gas stations, or to cap the alcohol content in beer, or to restrict sales to minors. The health ministry does not appear ready to implement a new regime that would curb availability and use.
It is worth noting that institutions like the Public Health Institute or the National Center for Fighting Addictions have urged these voices be heard in the drafting process. Their calls, however, do not seem to have shaped the proposed changes.
The Shell Act, its purpose remains unclear
If the current draft of the Education Act remains unchanged, the country will have wasted a real opportunity to cut alcohol consumption. The Ministry of Health shows awareness of the scale of the problem and cites scientific evidence, yet it does not take the decisive step toward a full ban on alcohol advertising. The present changes feel superficial and do not provide an effective tool in the fight against alcoholism. What Poland needs is legislative courage and broad measures that actually improve public health outcomes.