Polish parliament passes strict anti-alcohol law, sparking criticism from Confederation MP Mentzen
The Sejm approved a new anti-alcohol amendment with 400 votes in favour, introducing a night-time sales ban and a total advertising prohibition. Confederation co-leader Sławomir Mentzen denounced the measure as absurd on social media.
The lower house voted overwhelmingly to amend the law governing sobriety education, with 400 members in favour, 29 against and four abstentions. Drafted originally by Lewica and Polska 2050, the final text follows the Lewica proposal and introduces a night-time prohibition on alcohol sales from 22:00 to 06:00 across Poland, while allowing sales in restaurants, cafés and airports. The legislation also eliminates all forms of alcohol advertising and promotions, such as “12 for the price of 6”, and sets penalties of 30 000 to 1 000 000 zł or possible restriction of liberty for breaches. Confederation co-leader Sławomir Mentzen responded on social media, calling the law “completely absurd” and highlighting that it would forbid beer-branded items, logos on umbrellas, and even beer-review blogs and YouTube channels, which he says could cripple the domestic craft-brew sector and favour large foreign corporations.
Why it matters
The law could reshape Poland's alcohol market, limit advertising freedoms, and affect small breweries.
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