Controversial pouch vodka sparks outrage in Poland’s government
A contentious new product has emerged on the Polish market – alcohol packaged in colorful pouches. This item has triggered such public outrage that it has prompted responses from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia, Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka, and Chief Sanitary Inspector Paweł Grzesiowski.
A controversial product has emerged on the Polish market—alcohol in pouches. The item has caused such outrage in society that a response was required from Polish PM, Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia, and Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka.Paweł Supernak/PAP; Szymon Hołownia/IG
On store shelves, the small pouches can easily be mistaken for similarly packaged fruit purees or other liquid products that parents often choose to quickly satisfy their small children.
The problem is that the new product contains high-proof alcohol, which is dangerously lethal for young children. Following a wave of public outrage and citizen reports about this controversial product, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a reaction during a Tuesday cabinet meeting.
He demanded an immediate ban on the sale of alcohol in pouches, which will be handled by Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski.
PM Tusk emphasized, „We will focus on finding an effective method to block this practice associated with alcohol pouches,” adding that there would be consequences for those who failed to exercise vigilance.
Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka also voiced her concerns on Polish Radio, opposing the sale of alcohol in this form. She stressed the urgent need for a change in regulations to prevent producers from exploiting legal loopholes.
„I am deeply outraged; I am a parent, and when I saw this, I was deeply shaken,” said Nowacka, announcing an official letter to the Ministry of Health requesting changes to the regulations regarding alcohol packaging.
Szymon Hołownia, the Speaker of the Sejm and a father of young children himself, referred to the alcohol pouches as „pure evil” and stated that he would ask the Ministry of Finance for clarifications, as he believes the introduction of such a product must have been consulted with state authorities.
The medical community is also outraged by the appearance of alcohol pouches in Polish stores. One physician called for swift action from politicians. „Alcohol in packaging resembling fruit purees poses a real threat to the health of children and teenagers. It’s time for quick action to ensure that marketing does not triumph over public health,” wrote Prof. Mateusz Jankowski, an epidemiologist, on social media.
The Chief Sanitary Inspector, Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski, highlighted the risks associated with selling alcohol in pouches resembling fruit purees for children and announced inspections in production facilities and stores.
He emphasized that „if it is to be high-proof alcohol, it must be sold exclusively at alcohol stands,” and the Sanitary Inspection opposes this form of sale due to the potential for confusion.
Dr. Grzesiowski warned that „the easy access to such packaging at mass events raises serious concerns” and confirmed that the ministries of health and education will collaborate to introduce a ban on the presence of this product in stores.
Source: IAR/PR24/X/@MateJankowski
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