Biznes Fakty
Champagne harmful to children? MPs want restrictions on sales
The Sejm Petitions Committee will seek the viewpoint of the Ministry of Health regarding the proposal to prohibit the sale of non-alcoholic champagne designed for children in bottles that resemble adult champagne. This proposition was part of a petition presented to the Sejm, which the committee evaluated on Thursday.
The individual who submitted the petition cites concerns about the mental and social well-being of the younger generation. She argues that marketing non-alcoholic champagne for children in containers that mimic adult beverages normalizes alcohol consumption among minors and reinforces positive associations with alcoholic drinks.
Packaging that „introduces the drinking culture”
„Utilizing bottles that resemble alcohol packaging may lead children to view alcohol consumption as an inherent facet of social gatherings and celebrations. Such packaging familiarizes them with drinking culture, ushering them into the realm of adult behaviors, which can be particularly detrimental to their psychological and personality development,” the petition states.
„Products that promote drinking behaviors in children that imitate adults can contribute to the establishment of harmful habits. By replicating adult rituals, children may carry these tendencies into adulthood, heightening the risk of future alcohol-related issues,” the petitioner emphasized.
She pointed out that bottles mimicking alcoholic beverages could mislead children and adolescents, implying that alcohol is a safe product accessible to everyone. „Such behaviors can lead to a careless attitude towards alcoholic products in the future,” she remarked.
The petition’s author also highlighted that numerous countries are implementing measures to restrict the availability of alcohol and alcohol-like products among minors, and that international experiences indicate that regulating such items can effectively mitigate the impact of drinking culture on youth.
Prohibition not due to harmfulness, but due to similarity
MP Marcin Józefaciuk (KO), who presented the petition’s content to the committee, reminded that Poland has a prohibition on selling alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and caffeinated drinks to minors. He noted that in this petition’s context, the focus is not on banning a product harmful due to nicotine, alcohol, or hazardous substances, but rather „because of its resemblance to dangerous items.” He pointed out that the committee had previously reviewed a similar petition regarding the prohibition of selling products resembling cigarettes to minors.
The MP also mentioned that in this case, the Parliamentary Office of Expertise and Regulatory Impact Assessment raises concerns about violating the principle of economic freedom.
– Such a concern may be presented if this request is approved – Józefaciuk stated. – It must also be remembered that the current obligation for store owners is to allow customers to purchase any goods permitted for circulation. This is in accordance with the law – he added.
Inquiry for the Ministry of Health
The MP suggested that a request be sent to the Ministry of Health concerning the issues highlighted in the petition, in which the committee wishes to inquire, among other things, about their stance on this issue and whether any initiatives are in progress within the ministry.
This proposal received support from the vice-chair of the Committee on Petitions, Urszula Augustyn (KO).
– We will invite representatives from the Ministry of Health to our next meeting (…). Perhaps the Ministry of Education will also wish to participate – she noted. – However, we will commence by drafting a request to the Minister of Health asking for an assessment of the situation and their perspective on it – she indicated. – Possibly, during discussions related to tobacco products, this issue might also be addressed – she added.
