On Tuesday, the Ministry of National Education will send a letter to the Ministry of Health asking to change the regulations on packaging in which alcohol is sold. The head of the ministry, Barbara Nowacka, emphasized that regulations need to be tightened quickly so that alcohol packaging does not pretend to be a product for children.
Boss lady MEN was asked on Tuesday on the First Program of Polish Radio about a new product in stores, i.e. alcohol in sachets (tubes) resembling those in which, among others, fruit mousses for children.
Nowacka: regulations need to be tightened
– I am deeply outraged; I'm also a parent and when I saw it, I was deeply shocked, said Nowacka. She announced that on Tuesday an official letter from the Ministry of National Education to the Ministry of Health will be sent, asking to change the regulations regarding packaging in which alcohol is sold.
Nowacka admitted that it is legal under applicable regulations. – Producers found a loophole in the regulations and the government's task is to tighten the regulations so that alcohol does not pretend to be juices or tubes. And cigarettes did not pretend to be something cool, because both are poisons – emphasized the minister.
– I absolutely support the policy of the Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, regarding limiting the availability of alcohol and cigarettes. However, in this case, it seems to me that action is extremely urgent. Hence my letter, she explained. – I think that the regulation will soon be tightened so that alcohol does not pretend to be products that are nice for children, because alcohol is not for children – she added.
She announced that next year a new subject will be introduced in schools, prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sports, regarding health education. – Education alone, including education on counteracting alcoholism, will not achieve miracles if there are no realistic regulations adapted to the changing world – she said.
“Evil in its pure form”
The media recently reported on alcohol tubes whose packaging resembles fizz. Senator Anna Górska (Left Wing) addressed: UOKiK for an inspection in this matter, which she announced on the X platform. In her opinion, the product, which is sold in packaging resembling children's products, may increase alcohol consumption among minors.
The Speaker of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, also commented on this information in a post on social media on Monday. He noted that vodka in sachets “is pure evil.” He stated that he would not give up on this matter.
We sent questions to the manufacturer who introduced alcohol to the market in controversial packaging. However, we have not received a response by the time of publication.
Main photo source: PAP/Tomasz Waszczuk