The spirits industry echoes the government’s idea. “This will encourage illegal sales”

The debate over small-format spirits in public places continues. According to the Polish Association of Employers in the Spirits Industry (ZPPPS), beer accounts for 55% of the country’s total alcohol consumption, with an average annual per capita consumption of 93 liters, according to the Central Statistical Office. Additionally, beer is the most commonly purchased alcoholic beverage between 5:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – Notify the union.

Daily sales of small-format spirits (90ml, 100ml, 200ml) reached 1.3 million pieces, of which 31%, or about 410,000 pieces, occurred in the morning. By comparison, 9.4 million beer cans or bottles are sold every day, with 2.6 million sold in the morning. – We read in the ZPPPS report.

Industry insiders stressed that A half-litre can or bottle of beer has exactly the same alcohol content as 100ml of 28% alcohol, which is 22gand beer is a cheaper alcohol than the so-called monkey. In addition, the higher beer sales are also influenced by advertising, because in the eyes of many Poles, beer is often not seen as alcohol, but more as a way to relax – we read.

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The association reminded that Poland’s excise tax on spirits is much higher than in neighboring countries such as Germany. They pointed out that the increase in excise taxes and the increase in production costs have led to higher prices for legal alcohol, thus reducing consumers’ purchasing opportunities. Sales in the spirits industry are expected to fall by 8% in 2022, 10% in 2023 and another 10% in the first quarter of 2024.

The high price of legal liquor has led to an increase in purchases on the black market. The Gray Zone 2024 report prepared by the Institute for Economic Forecasting and Analysis shows that In 2023, the illegal sale of spirits caused losses of PLN 1.3 billion to the state budget. These losses are expected to increase further and amount to about PLN 1 billion by 2024. The reduction in revenues for the state budget, municipalities and the National Health Fund is caused by the shifting of procurement to illegal sources.

If the state wants to actively implement policies to reduce alcohol consumption because it is a stimulant that has negative effects on public health, then the right thing to do is not to increase the price of the most expensive alcohol (i.e., alcohol sold in small packages), but to change the excise tax that prioritizes the cheapest and most readily available alcohol (i.e., beer). These are spirits, which generate 72%. Liquor and beer receive 25% excise tax revenue. “In this discussion we forget that beer, vodka, wine and whiskey contain exactly the same ethanol, and its content should be the basis for excise taxes across the industry,” said Emilia Rabenda, president of the Polish Spirits Industry Employers’ Association.

On Wednesday (August 7), he mentioned “Monkeys” again, which are bottles of wine with a capacity of 100 ml and 200 ml. According to the Finance Minister, “Monkeys” are mainly purchased in the morning, which is a “negative phenomenon” and also causes “concern” for the Ministry of Health. How much is the “Monkey Fee”? The minister did not reveal this.

Domański declared on Zet Radio that a final decision had not yet been made, but that it was not legislatively difficult and could be implemented as early as 2025.

At the same time, the politician announced that there will be no increase in alcohol excise taxes. – We will not change the “rules of the road” regarding alcohol. We have no additional increase, he declared.