And another vodka for me, luv …

Alcohol, quite wrongly, remains outside the mainstream of public health in Poland. Whereas, despite the fact that alcohol consumption fell slightly soon after democratic changes had taken place, we have been watching another regression since 2001.

Not only for health reasons but rather thanks to local self-government activists, the issue of limiting access to alcohol through laws has surfaced up again. The presidents, the mayors and the members of the city councils are not so much motivated by potential health benefits but the pressure exerted by the citizens who experience the disadvantages resulting from 24 hours a day alcohol sale or too close proximity of alcohol outlets to schools. The authorities and the opposition quite unanimously agree that local self-governments should be given larger powers to decide on the number of outlets in the area.

This solution is bound to be resisted by salespeople as their budget relies on alcohol sale. Certainly, some consumers will object too. At the same time, the goal of reducing alcohol consumption, which would be undoubtedly achieved (numerous studies and observations have been conducted to prove this argument), is most legitimate and laudable.

It is my view, however, that the draft act is too administrative in its nature. Honourable Members and the Association of Polish Cities, being the co-originators of the changes, should consider a larger contribution of the economic factors. I particularly mean increasing the fee for issuing an alcohol license (generally known as the ‘cork’ tax) and providing its flexibility depending on local conditions. Especially the sales during the evening and night hours, and during the holidays should be taxed much more heavily than in the case of ‘regular’ outlets open, for instance, till 6 p.m.

This is the way not to make alcohol business a part of the underground economy as it took place during the communist era, to maintain or even increase the municipal financing of prevention programmes while the salespeople will still have a choice and carry out calculation whether to continue sales, increase prices or give up on these products. Either way, the consumption of alcohol will fall - thus benefiting the health of Polish citizens.