Polish lawmakers seek ban on small "małpka" alcohol bottles

A cross-party movement is gaining momentum in Poland's Sejm to ban the sale of "małpki," small, single-serving bottles of high-proof alcohol. This initiative follows the recent introduction of a nationwide night-time alcohol prohibition, signaling a broader effort to combat alcoholism.

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Frankly, we as the Law and Justice Club will submit one amendment today, but an important one, because in my opinion it touches upon one of the causes of alcoholism. Justifying addiction is the consumption of small doses of alcohol. 3 million 'małpki' are sold in the country every day.

Lawmakers from various parties, including PiS, Lewica, and KO, have expressed strong support for eliminating "małpki" from the market. They argue that these convenient, small-format bottles, typically 100ml or 200ml, contribute significantly to alcohol abuse. Concerns include the promotion of rapid consumption, the normalization of daily drinking, and the ease with which alcoholism can be concealed.

"Małpki" became popular in the early 2000s and are now a significant market segment, with Poles reportedly buying millions daily. While profitable for producers, critics argue their widespread availability poses a serious public health risk. Environmental concerns regarding packaging waste have also been raised.

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So actually, I am wholeheartedly in favor of there being no 'małpki'.

The primary obstacle to an outright ban is compliance with European Union regulations, which require a notification process before implementing such restrictions. While this legal framework delays the ban, the government is exploring alternative measures, such as increasing excise taxes on alcohol or implementing a deposit-return system for bottles, to further curb alcohol consumption.

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In the Health Committee, we are working on a solution, one might say, across party lines, to completely ban the sale of these types of alcohols, that is, in these capacities, within the framework of the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism.